biking in l.a. p.14 math is hard for me p.6

october 2009 www.layouth.com My second chance at school an alternative high school got me back on track to graduate page 10 also inside 5 school budget cuts 8 i got my family to recycle 20 rap with a message About L.A. Youth involved. Newcomer’s orientations are held every other month on Saturday mornings. Call for info at How did L.A. Youth start? (323) 938-9194. Regular staff meetings are held every Former teacher Donna Myrow founded the nonprofit Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. teen newspaper in 1988 after the Supreme Court Senior Writers: Lia Dun, Marshall HS • Justin Koh, Cleveland HS • Elliot Kwon, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS • Charlene Lee, Walnut HS • Samantha Richards, Hazelwood decision, which struck down student press Where is L.A. Youth distributed? S.O.C.E.S. rights. Myrow saw a need for an independent, uncen- L.A. Youth is distributed free to teachers at public and sored forum for youth expression. L.A. Youth is now private schools throughout Los Angeles County. It can Staff: Gabe Andreen, Pilgrim School • Stacey Avnes, S.O.C.E.S. • Yasamin Azarakhsh, Notre Dame HS • Ben Bang, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS • William Brent, Central L.A. HS for the Visual celebrating its 21st year of publishing. also be picked up for free at many public libraries and and Performing Arts • Caitlin Bryan, Valley Alternative Magnet School • Valerie Bueno, West is available online at www.layouth.com. Covina HS • Patricia Chavarria, Cesar Chavez Continuation HS • Tiffany Chen, Walnut HS • Sally How is L.A. Youth doing today? Choi, The Linden Center • Sydney Chou, Sonora HS • Lily Clark, Immaculate Heart HS • Emily Clarke, Palisades Charter HS • Vanessa Cordova, Glendale HS • Jose Dizon, La Cañada HS • Sara L.A. Youth now has a readership of 350,000 in Los Angeles How is L.A. Youth funded? Dominguez, South Bay HS • Stanton Ellison, West L.A. College • Lane Erickson, South HS • Rene County. Hundreds of students have benefited from L.A. Youth is a nonprofit charitable organization Franco, Providence HS • Esteban Garcia, Warren HS • Meklit Gebre-Mariam, University HS • Audrey Hahn, Cleveland HS • Emily He, Whitney HS • Brett Hicks, Loyola HS • Destiny Jackson, L.A. Youth’s journalism training. Many have graduated funded by grants from foundations and corporations, Mayfair HS • Chianne Jolly, Luther Burbank MS • Nadi Khairi, Reseda HS • Ellen Khansefid, from college and have built on their experiences at donations and advertising. Hamilton HS • Jennifer Kim, South Pasadena HS • Se Yeon Kim, Hoover HS • Allison Ko, Wilson HS L.A. Youth to pursue careers in journalism, teaching, • Kevin Ko, Wilson HS • Sam Landsberg, Hamilton HS • Brian Lee, C.A.M.S. • Elis Lee, Crescenta Valley HS • Janie Lee, Troy HS • John Lisowski, New Roads School • Beatriz Lopez, Gardena HS research and other fields. Our Foster Youth Writing What’s L.A. Youth’s mission? • Tanya Lopez, Logsdon School • Brian Lopez-Santos • Breanna Lujan, West Covina HS • Luisa Project has brought the stories of teens in foster care to We will provide teens with the highest level of Mendoza, Lynwood HS • Chantelle Moghadam, Viewpoint School • Taylor Moore, Westchester the newspaper. For more info, see www.layouth.com. journalism education, civic literacy and job skills. We HS • Gabrielle Muhammad, Frederick Douglass Academy HS • Jasper Nahid, New Roads School • Emily Navarro, Environmental Charter HS • Ashley Ngo, C.A.M.S. • Jennie Nguyen, Glendale HS • will strengthen and build our relationships with more Michelle Paik, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS • Jessica Palomo, Ramona Convent • Jean Park, Harvard- How do teens get involved with L.A. Youth? teachers to bring relevant issues into the classroom Westlake School • Casey Peeks, Marlborough School • Charmaine Peggese, Cerritos HS • Ernesto Teens usually join the staff of L.A. Youth when they and improve the quality of education. We will reach Pineda, Animo Film & Theatre Arts Charter HS • Serli Polatoglu, AGBU-MDS • Sophia Richardson, S.O.C.E.S. • Nicholas Robinson, Central L.A. HS for the Visual and Performing Arts • Michelle Ruan, read the newspaper and see a notice inviting them out to the community to better educate policy makers Alhambra HS • Francisco Sandoval, Nogales HS • Aaron Sayago, Fairfax HS • Aleksandra Sekulich, to a newcomer’s orientation. They also get involved about teen issues; create a more positive image of teens Fairfax HS • Jessica Son, La Cañada HS • Hannah Song, Mark Keppel HS • Kaitlyn Tsai, Walnut HS • Freddy Tsao, South Pasadena HS • Sunitha Warrier, C.A.M.S. • Stephany Yong, Walnut HS through our summer workshop for writers. Sometimes in the mainstream media; and raise the credibility and a teacher or parent will encourage them to get awareness of L.A. Youth. Publisher: Donna C. Myrow Co-Managing Editors: Mike Fricano, Amanda Riddle Editor: Laura Lee Administrative Director: Robyn Zelmanovitz Design Consultant: Wayne M. DeSelle Communications Consultant: Lea Lion

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 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com October 2009 m a i l CONTENTS

These are letters we received games as being violent, but really about stories in the September they are all fun. If kids get ideas 2009 issue of L.A. Youth: to kill someone after playing a video game they aren’t mature video games aren’t enough to understand games. too violent I have loved video games since Cover Story I think the story “In defense I was a little kid and I have not of video games” is excellent be- once thought of violence. I also My second cause it describes how play- think that parents and adults ing video games doesn’t make do not understand the technol- chance people violent. I feel the same ogy of our time so they are afraid way because I play all the games that their kids will get the wrong at school the writer does and they haven’t message. The video game era turned me violent. I like the way is not violent, but fun. People An alternative high school his parents treat him when it should understand that video comes to video games. My mom games don’t affect the youth got Patricia back on track is against those violent games. except when kids play long hours to graduate. page 10 She even took some games away throughout the night. plus for a while. I also agree that the Mario Alvarado Grand Theft Auto series is too Camino Nuevo Charter Academy Determined intense for people who aren’t to finish mature enough. Violent games Saving my money Four teens share how an don’t teach you anything bad instead of and spending time playing video spending it alternative school helped games is great and enjoyable. I read the article “Saving for them succeed. page 12 Daniel Sarkissian something better.” I spent all of Wilson MS (Glendale) my birthday money on an Xbox 10 360 and a DJ mixer, which was I liked this article because I the wrong thing to do. I could agree with the writer that just be- have saved the money and used cause people kill others in video it for something better, like my games, it doesn’t mean they are college fund, or put it in a sav- going to kill in real life. I have ings account. The next time I get played many violent video games money I will save it for college. Budget cuts make it There’s more to school and I haven’t been violent. I have Also, I will spend less on food harder to learn...... 5 than books...... 18 friends who play violent video when I go out with my friends. games and they’re not violent. I think I will save a lot of money L.A. Youth writers say crowded classes and In Korea all Ben did was study, but in Parents think that we’re going to by cutting back. After reading fewer supplies mean less time for teaching. America he can pursue his interests. turn violent over a video game this article I know how to spend that is not even real. I think they money and I will be prepared for Math doesn’t add up Rap that makes me think ... 20 need to play the games so they the future. for me...... 6 can see the truth. Chris Nazaryan From religion to social justice, Stanton Beatriz has always struggled to learn math. Rafael Arellano Wilson MS found hip-hop with a message. Paramount HS Harassed by a Doing our part...... 8 I really connected to boy at school Breanna got her family to help the I was out of control...... 22 the article “In defense of video I think that this article was environment by recycling. Sara used to break windows and games” because I understand very realistic and very well cause trouble, but now she’s trying what the author is trying to tell written. “Should I be afraid?” the reader. I feel the same way is about a girl who was ha- Catching on to juggling...... 9 to think before she acts. about video games that are so- rassed by a fellow student who It took patience to learn but now called violent. I can see how seemed to like her. To make Freddy is always trying new tricks. What you need to know people misunderstand video Continued on page 4 about the flu...... 25 L.A. on two wheels...... 14 Information from experts on swine Charlene got out of her car and flu and how to avoid getting sick. explored the city on bike paths. Send your letters to L.A. Youth L.A. Youth Taking on teen pregnancy... 16 Book and CD reviews...... 26 5967 W. 3rd St. Suite 301 Ernesto was part of a play that L.A. Youth writers recommend the books Los Angeles CA 90036 taught him and his classmates Looking for Alaska and Carrie, plus CDs from or [email protected] about the consequences of sex. The Aquabats, The Upwelling and HIM. www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth  m a i l Continued from page 3 things worse, the boy kept calling others. Some people think it’s OK to she fits in the world. what I had gone through. What I the same things the writer did to her over and over, until the point tease others who have some kind of Jesse Bajonero really enjoyed was how the writer lose weight. when he said that he was going disability or look different. Every- Camino Nuevo Charter Academy described the steps he took to get Ricardo Garcia to cut himself if she didn’t talk to one should be respected no matter to where he is now. I went through Paramount HS him. how different they may seem. I really liked this article. The the same thing. I finally told myself The part that really got me The writer was going through a writer has a physical disability and I needed to lose weight. When I love to dance was the fact that she kept tell- very hard time in her life and her people made fun of her. I see that we started doing the mile in P.E. this article showed that ing her counselor and the coun- getting teased lowered her self- all around me. Sometimes walk- I disliked it at first. Then in sev- dancing is a way to express your- selor told an assistant principal, esteem. At some point she actually ing down the halls at school I see enth grade I couldn’t wait for the self. It inspired me to continue but the assistant principal didn’t started thinking about doing harm kids making fun of those who have mile day to come. I also was able dancing and to always be confi- do anything. Even after she was to herself. We should remind our- disabilities. Sometimes it is for no to do 40 pushups and 100 sit-ups dent. When you’re trying some- threatened with rape, the as- selves that we all have feelings and reason at all. straight. I think this story will thing new, try to have fun with it. sistant principal still didn’t do I’m sure with a little more respect No one should be made fun of change others’ lives for the better. Do not let others make you feel em- anything. I think that schools and kindness this world would be because it hurts people’s feelings It will inspire young kids who barrassed. Don’t stop doing some- need to pay more attention to a better place. and it’s disrespectful. When some- probably feel the same way. thing that you really like to do. these types of incidents and Hasmik Arutunyan one is being teased they feel like Humberto Perez Yesenia Montano try to stop them. High schools Wilson MS no one is there for them. Everyone Camino Nuevo Charter Academy Camino Nuevo Charter Academy should ensure that all stu- should try to get along with those dents feel safe while at school. this story is amazing because it who need support so they don’t I liked the article “From fast I connected with the writer Rene Chino is about a young girl who was criti- feel left out or worthless because food to fitness.” This story had a of “Just dance” because I love to Camino Nuevo Charter Academy cized by people because of a physi- that’s not true. lot of detail. It showed exactly how dance and express myself. I love cal disability. People shouldn’t Liliana Paola C. the writer lost weight by going to to jerk too. The first time I heard After years of being get criticized because of how they Paramount HS the gym and exercising at six in the “You’re a Jerk” by New Boyz I start- teased, I feel better look. That isn’t fair. I won’t criticize morning. He made huge sacrifices ed dancing. It was a challenge to about myself people for how they look because I used to be like not eating fast food and doing learn how to jerk, but I got the hang I think the article “I no longer my parents taught me not to. This overweight, but pushups. I kind of relate to this of it. I could tell the writer has a lot feel worthless” is very touching. It story was really good and I just I got healthy story because when I was smaller of fun dancing with friends. made me wonder how people feel kept on reading and reading. I’m I really enjoyed “From fast I was fatter and now I’m getting fat Adela Davtyan when they get teased or bullied by happy that the girl finally feels like food to fitness.” It reminded me of again. I feel like I should start doing Wilson MS Join us on Facebook! To become our fan, go to facebook.com/layouthnewspaper.

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 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com school

Budget cuts make it harder to learn This year the state cut $6 billion in funds to schools to close a $24 billion budget deficit. That meant schools had less money for teacher salaries, programs and classroom supplies. To deal with the cuts, they had to lay off teachers, resulting in larger class sizes. L.A. Youth writers share the effects these cuts have had inside the classroom.

my teacher has year looks like it will be a dif- less time to give ficult one. us feedback —By Lane Erickson, 16, South HS (Torrance) here are 45 students in my TAP English class. It start- ed out with 50 but some stu- We fall further dents saw it was too crowded behind every so they dropped it and went to class regular English. Whenever we told the teacher, Ms. Higa, that ecause of the budget someone dropped the class, cuts, class sizes have in- Michelle’s math class at Alhambra High has 36 students. Photo by Michelle Ruan, 17, Alhambra HS B she sighed and said “Thank creased this year, making it god.” I didn’t leave because it’s AP and I real- computer desk because there wasn’t room. My was more funding for school but I know I’ll just harder to learn. Instead of being able to go over ly want the class. She’s strict but I like the way math class last year had 32 students. have to make the best of it. the previous night’s math analysis homework she teaches. We have class discussions about My math teacher, Mr. Matossian, had been —By Michelle Ruan, 17, Alhambra HS quickly and teach the new lesson slowly, we stuff that happens in the news. certain that our class size would decrease. He spend half of class answering questions, leav- She told us that in the past she would cor- said, “The teachers’ contract with the school dis- ing only 10 to 20 minutes for the next lesson. rect an assignment and give it back to the stu- trict is pretty clear. … After the third week, the my school can’t afford This lack of individual time in the classroom dent. The student would give it back with the limit becomes 36.” Thirty-six students in a class paper for handouts makes homework frustrating. On numerous corrections made and again she’d find more is still a lot of people. Even though Mr. M. has occasions, I have done my math homework mistakes and mark them and give it back to three out of five classes filled with the maximum y school doesn’t have the money to let hesitantly, constantly checking my notebook the student. She said the most would be seven of 36 students, he said “It would be nice to have Mteachers make enough copies to give to see if I am following the correct steps. The times back and forth. Now she can’t do that. 20-something, but this is the real world.” one handout to each student. One class set of next day students came to class with questions She says there are too many students. It’s more He admits it’s hard to keep people focused, each handout is all it can afford, so students about the previous night’s homework, taking stressful for her because she has six classes but I think that he’s doing his best by using a are forced to write questions from the hand- up more time from the next lesson, creating a and they’re all full. She tells us our work has projector and digital video camera, which re- out onto separate paper. Some of these ques- snowball effect. to be perfect the first time. She’s going to cor- cords him working out problems at his desk at tions go on for a whole paragraph and it can Many students are considering getting pri- rect it once and that’s our final grade. I think the front of the class. Instead of using the white take a half hour to write them all. Compar- vate tutoring. We have no chance of succeed- that’s a disadvantage because we obviously boards, which sometimes people in the back ing this year to previous years, I see that we’re ing if each concept isn’t taught thoroughly in make mistakes and we don’t have a chance or corners can’t see, the projected image is big losing a lot of learning time because we’re be- class. to make corrections. enough for the whole class to see. Mr. M. has ing forced to spend time copying down ques- My math teacher, Mr. Davies, agrees that I think I’ll still learn. But I wish there were been using this technique for a few years and tions, rather than thinking about and writing this is a problem. fewer people because we’d get more one-on-one so far, it works. down answers. “The class sizes are way too big,” he said. interaction with the teacher. I blame the gover- Still, the larger class sizes make learning It’s not just the time we’re losing though. My “That means a lot less time for individual in- nor. Shouldn’t he have taken the money from harder because we all want the teacher’s atten- biology teacher says she won’t use handouts struction. The teacher can compensate for this somewhere else? Education is something we tion when we don’t know how to do something. this year. She says that since the school doesn’t by offering tutoring after school. Teachers have need. Soon we’re going to be the ones out there In my math class, not all raised hands are an- have enough paper as it is that she wants to to work harder and longer.” in the world and we need the knowledge. swered. In my English class of 36 students, in- save paper for class sets of tests. Because of In my AP European history class, the lack —By Beatriz Lopez, 17, Gardena HS structions get muddled at times because when this, we’re not getting worksheets and other of individual time with students is a problem the teacher tries to tell us what to do, the noise material that expand understanding. To me it when trying to prepare everyone for the big AP level is pretty high and her words get lost with- seeems like the school is saying supplements exam in May. My teacher has arranged for Sat- a crowded math class in everyone else’s conversations. are no longer necessary. urday lecture sessions where she can go over makes it harder to My drama class is the biggest class I have Even with the reduced amount of paper be- essay prompts and review lectures that were keep people focused with more than 40 students. I’m not sure that ing used, several of my teachers have told me rushed through during class. it’s going to drop to 36 because it’s not a core that they think the office will be out of photo- It bothers me that in California we pay some y statistics class had 39 students but now class. copy paper by December. I wonder what we’ll of the highest income and sales taxes in the Mwe have 36. One student dropped the class Teachers stay after school, but not for a long do then. Most likely, we’ll have to copy things country but the Legislature is incapable of bal- and another two were moved to other classes time. I have after-school activities so I can’t go down from overhead projectors, but I have a ancing the budget. that had more room. Before, one girl sat at the often for help even if I want to. I wish that there few classes that don’t have those. This school —By Stephany Yong, 15, Walnut HS www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth  school

Math doesn’t add up for me I’ve always struggled to learn math but I know it’s important

By Beatriz Lopez 17, Gardena HS

’ve never liked math. I hate it even. Every time I get stuck on a math problem and can’t figure it out, I want to crumple the stupid Ipiece of paper and throw it across the room. Instead, I take a deep breath and try again, but in the end I still don’t understand so I give up. I’ve always wondered what the big deal about math is. I understand we use math for money purposes and that some careers require it. But what if your career doesn’t? My parents and teachers told me I might need math for a career, so I always chose one that didn’t require higher- level math, like a chef, an author or a journalist. Everyone should learn addition, subtraction, multiplication and division because those are the math basics. But why should I care about triangles and their angles, the slope of a line, or what sine and cosine are? In elementary school, addition was easy but subtraction was hard. Having to borrow num- bers and add them to the number next to it was confusing. In third grade I felt the pressure to memorize my multiplication tables. Every day the school announced, “Learn your multipli- cation tables.” When you did they gave you a T- shirt with all the tables. It took me until fourth grade to learn all of them, from 1x1 to 12x12. After that it just got more complicated. My par- ents would check my math problems and if they saw a mistake, they’d lose their patience and yell, “We just told you how to do this.” Once my Illustration by dad called me burra, (donkey in Spanish), which Aleksandra Sekulich, means you’re slow. I was in shock and I started 17, Fairfax HS crying. If he saw me as slow, maybe I was. Later I realized he had just lost his patience. The material would be fresh in my mind and I The smart, “nerdy” students chose to sit to- the board and explain it to them. After she was I didn’t struggle with everything. I would get would apply what I’d learned in pre-algebra to gether at one geometry table. I sat at the other done explaining, we’d ask them, “What does 4s and 3s (which are the same thing as As and algebra. I passed both classes with a C. As long table with the ones who were barely passing this mean?” but they’d say, “I don’t know” and Bs) in English, science and social studies on as it was a passing grade, I was happy. the class. Since the teacher was busy with the turn their backs on us. “Snobby little b****es,” my report cards, but on the math section there algebra students, she couldn’t really keep an we thought. My table would always com- would always be 2s (which are Cs). That 2 fol- my school put geometry and eye on us. Sometimes after we sat down she plain. “She’s not even paying attention to us,” lowed me all through elementary school. algebra students in one class would give us a section to read and tell us to do my friend once said. I thought this was some- When I got to middle school, I still got bad When I got to geometry, I thought I’d be in problems and other times she would go straight thing we just had to deal with. grades in math. In seventh grade a group of a class with the other 10 students who passed to the algebra students. For the first few min- A few months after the class started, I was students were given pre-algebra and algebra at algebra. Since it would be smaller I thought I utes we would do nothing but talk. Eventual- at my cousin’s house complaining about ge- the same time. My guess was that they want- would have more interaction with the teach- ly she would tell us what to read and after we ometry and how I didn’t understand anything. ed to give students two years to pass algebra er. On the first day, I found out that the class did, we continued talking. My cousin said she had hated that class too but before they graduated from middle school. I was divided into two. Two tables in the corner When she did teach us she’d pay more at- passed it with some help. Before I left, she gave would have pre-algebra before lunch and al- were for the 11 students who had passed alge- tention to the other table of geometry students me a book with the answers to the problems in gebra after it. Pre-algebra was almost the same bra and were taking geometry. The rest were than us. Their table was right in front of the my textbook. Not just the odd ones and not just as algebra but algebra was more complicated. students who had to repeat algebra. board. If they had a question, she’d go up to the answers, but the complete way to do every

 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com single problem. “I’m saved!” I thought. In 11th grade, I finally took my last math the homework. Only once did I get a perfect After that night, I did every homework as- class, math analysis. I slowly realized math score. It was a review of long division. I was signment. I tried to understand how the book mattered. The teacher would lecture us about proud of myself. Then came the next test, how can students got to the solution but it was still hard be- how important the class was. She’d talk about which led me back to my aggravated mood succeed in math? cause, like our teacher, it didn’t explain why colleges and how they were looking for good toward math. I got Ds both semesters. you had to do the steps. Later it just seemed grades and well-rounded students. She’d say I keep thinking that if I could go back in To get a teacher’s perspective on how easier to copy. I would bring the book to class it would look good if we had an A in this class time, I would pay more attention in class to do better in math, I interviewed my and show it to the people at my table to help because it was higher-level math. and ask more questions while the teacher algebra II teacher, Shirley Warren. them out. We worshipped it. We even nick- There were seniors in the class. The se- was explaining the material. I never both- named it “The Brain.” I didn’t feel guilty be- niors were worried about how colleges would ered asking questions because I get nervous What should we do if we don’t like math? cause I needed to pass and this was the only view their math grade, something I had nev- approaching a teacher. I just tried to do it by How can we do better? If you don’t like math way. I got As on my homework but when it er thought about. I thought it didn’t matter if myself and if I didn’t get it, oh well. you need to figure out why you don’t like it first. Maybe you never liked it since you were little or didn’t understand something. If you’re not getting it then take tutoring, at home, I studied math more than do all homework and classwork assign- ments, and take notes. Try to relate it to ever. But I didn’t do better on the life if possible. What if you don’t want to go to tutoring tests because the questions were more because you’re sick of math? How about working with a friend. Have a brother or complicated than the homework. sister quiz you at home. Go on the Inter- net [for more information]. came to tests and quizzes I would get Cs, Ds I got Cs in math because I got As in the other I would also talk to a counselor about put- How do you prepare for a test? Always and Fs. I knew it looked suspicious but the subjects. I started worrying about my senior ting the geometry students in a separate class. take good notes. If the teacher reviews the teacher never questioned it, which was a re- year, when I would be applying to colleges. I never thought it was fair for the school to day before the test, listen carefully. Reread lief. Because of the book, I passed with a C. What if the Cs and Ds I got in math ruined put us in a class with algebra students where the chapters and go over the examples in I was happy it was over. I knew I’d have to my chance of getting accepted? I also knew we didn’t have enough interaction with the each section. take math in high school but I didn’t think I had to pass because I needed three years teacher. But I don’t blame that teacher or any algebra II would have anything to do with of math to graduate and I didn’t want to re- of my math teachers. Other students passed. What’s the best way to study? Do it qui- geometry so I wasn’t worried. peat math analysis the next year. I didn’t Only the ones who were already struggling etly. Review notes at home from that day, want to risk failing my senior year and not with math had problems, like me. every day. Ask questions if you didn’t un- my new positive outlook being able to graduate with my class. I care more now because every teacher is derstand something. Sometimes it’s a didn’t last long At a parent conference my teacher told emphasizing the importance of having good basic concept you don’t understand. For In ninth grade I went into algebra II with a my dad that she was there before class if I grades in all your classes and how just one D example, you understand the steps to do a fresh attitude, thinking, “I’ll probably do bet- needed help. But it was easier to get help or F might ruin your chance of getting into a problem but you mess up on the arithme- ter.” But soon I was miserable. When I didn’t from the other students because they were college you want to go to. I know now that I tic. Go back and try to understand it be- understand something, I knew I wouldn’t do my age and I felt I could talk to them better. should have paid more attention in algebra cause it will affect the higher-level math well on the test. By second semester, I wasn’t I’d ask the students who had good grades and geometry. Higher-level math derives you take. trying at all. I had broken up with my boy- and sometimes I understood it. from it. Every new section builds on some- friend and that was the one class we had to- In class, I took notes. She’d talk about thing I saw in algebra or geometry. What are some memorization tips for gether. He sat in the front row. I didn’t want double-angle and half-angle formulas. I’d If I go to a Cal State and have to take math, formulas? You can relate it to a phrase or to look at or think about him so I didn’t pay understand the first part, which had to do I’ll ask for help, maybe use study groups or words. For example, for “rate x time = dis- attention. I spent that whole hour doodling. with substituting sine or cosine numbers in- tutoring. I will need to do more than the min- tance” I’ll remember it from a bus system My teacher offered tutoring twice a week af- to the formula. Then she would say some- imum. I still don’t like math, I don’t think I [in Denver] called RTD. Understand the ter school but I didn’t go because I had al- thing that didn’t sound like English at all ever will. But I know that it is required in col- meaning and purpose of the formula— ready given up. I had decent grades in my and that’s when I went blank. I spent a long lege. Because I have a plan, I feel a little more that helps too. And never try to memorize other classes. And I kept telling myself I could time at home trying to figure out what she confident going into my next math class. it all in one day. Have a plan. Take a small take it again if I failed. meant but just got more irritated. section to learn each day. By the time you To make up my D, I had algebra II again have a test you’ll have it already. in 10th grade. I knew I had to pass it. I did I changed my study habits, hoping Beatriz now more of the work because I was familiar with to improve my grades How do you stay motivated? For me, I al- knows that most of it. Even though I understood some At home, I studied more math than ever. ways like challenges. I’m always wanting to she can’t of it, I still didn’t see the point. I kept think- I turned off the music and placed my notes do well for the sake of doing well. neglect math ing, “Why do I need to learn logarithms or next to my homework to see how to do it in just because the quadratic formula if I’m never going to case I got stuck on a problem. Before a test, —By Beatriz Lopez, 17, Gardena HS she struggles use it in life?” I got a C. I was disappointed I would review the section (I never did that). with it. that I didn’t get an A or B because it was my But I didn’t do better on the tests because second year, but at least I had passed. the questions were more complicated than www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth  environment

hawk), but that was the only way that my fam- ily was actually going to change. Several weeks passed, and gradually the Doing our part bins began to fill up with soda cans, water bot- tles, and old newspapers and magazines. Once I got my family to help the environment by recycling the bottle and can bin filled up we dumped the contents into plastic trash bags, loaded them into one of my parents’ cars, and took the re- By Breanna Lujan cyclables to the recycling station near our lo- 17, West Covina HS cal grocery store. We emptied our bags into the recycling structure in the parking lot. We have always cared about the environment. get about $1.50 per pound for aluminum cans, I pick up my trash, turn off the lights when plastic bottles and glass and generally bring I leave a room and take short showers. Still, home $4 to $5 per trip about twice a month. We II didn’t know much about global warming take our paper to a recycling center in the City until the issue came up in my freshman biology of Industry, about 15 minutes from my house— class. My teacher showed us An Inconvenient far enough to cause my parents to complain Truth, the documentary by Al Gore. Watching, once in a while about taking me. I was shocked by the statistics and photos that Each time I went in my backyard and revealed just how much global warming was glanced into the container, I was excited and already impacting our planet, like the fact that grateful because my family had helped me with many animals are near extinction and that the something that I am passionate about. Occa- rainforests are disappearing. I realized that sionally, I had to remind my aunt to put her our environment was in danger and that it was Coca-Cola can into the recycling bin and my our fault. I knew that I had to do something. I dad to place the newspaper into the basket af- couldn’t fly to the Amazon and tell the loggers ter he was finished reading it. to stop cutting down trees or demand that ev- My grandmother, though, has exceeded my eryone switch to hybrids. I had to start small. expectations. Although she recycles primari- Then it hit me: recycling. ly for the money, she has become the most en- I searched for “recycling” on the Internet thusiastic about it. While on her daily walks she to find out exactly how it works. I discovered carries a plastic grocery bag. At first, I didn’t un- that by recycling, the metal from soda cans can derstand why she needed it but after seeing her be used to make new soda cans, plastic bot- bag bulging with cans, I understood. After her tles can be turned into new water bottles and walk she empties her daily treasure into the re- recycled paper can be used to make a variety cycling center near our neighborhood market. of paper products such as newsprint and pa- Eventually the money adds up because she picks per towels. Recycling is very efficient. For ex- up around four to five cans each day. ample, using recycled aluminum requires 95 Breanna (far right), along with her parents, grandmother and sister, all pitch in to After two years, recycling is now routine in percent less energy than if that same can was collect newspapers, bottles and cans to recycle. our home. The bins fill up every week or two made from new metal, according to an alumi- Photo by Charlene Lee, 16, Walnut HS and we take another load to the recycling cen- num recycling facts website. ter. Everyone is constantly on the lookout for simplify things for my family. I went to Target bin near his BBQ grill, but I caught him shov- recyclables, scavenging their offices or lunch i convinced my family and bought one moderately sized trash bin ing it out of the way several times. areas at work for bottles and cans. My mom it wouldn’t be hard for $9.99 and one laundry basket for $5.99. even asked the City of West Covina about get- I decided to present the idea of recycling to The trash bin I assigned for bottles and cans. who put this can in the trash? ting a recycling bin and discovered that if we my family. I knew that I had to tell them the I placed it in our backyard near the BBQ grill I thought things were going well until a used a city bin, our recyclables would be picked incentives, which include receiving money for where most of our family events take place, month later when I saw several soda cans and up by the city and we could receive a tax deduc- turning in glass, metal and plastic recyclables, with the intention of collecting the bottles and a glass bottle inside the trash can. I reached tion. Though I simply made sure that my fami- and saving the planet, as well as the fact that cans left over from gatherings. I made it even into the trash can, pulled out the containers ly placed their “trash” elsewhere, I feel that this recycling is easy. One day after my parents re- easier for my family by setting aside a plastic and walked through the house asking, “Who small action is making a major difference. turned from work and my whole family was grocery bag in the kitchen near our trash can do these belong to?” Of course no one claimed at home, I ushered them into our den. I told for bottles and cans that I would take outside them. So I devised a plan. The next day each them I wanted us to recycle. “It’s easy,” I said, to the bin. I put the laundry basket, which was time someone walked out of the kitchen I Breanna also “You just have to put your bottle somewhere for paper, in our kitchen between the wall and checked the trash can. To my surprise, ev- puts plastic else.” They didn’t say anything or ask me any dining table. eryone but my grandmother committed the bottles in the questions. Maybe they thought that I wasn’t “Bre, can’t we put this somewhere else?” awful crime of throwing everything away. I recycling bins serious, I thought, until my father said, “We’ll my mom asked me as she stared at the laun- approached each of them—my aunt, my mom at school and give it a shot.” dry basket in her kitchen. True, the basket was and my dad—and told them that I knew they encourages others The first step was getting containers to hold a bit of an eyesore, but I told her that this was weren’t recycling and that I wasn’t going to to do the same. the plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass and a small sacrifice for the good that she was do- stop pestering them. I knew that I was being paper materials. I decided to use only two to ing. My father didn’t say anything about the annoying (I continued to watch them like a

 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com interests

By Freddy Tsao dedication, I was finally able to juggle! Now that 15, South Pasadena HS Photo by I could actually juggle, I decided to continue Charlene Lee, with juggling club; not only to learn new jug- love juggling. It calms me down when I’m 16, Walnut HS gling tricks, but also to try other juggling equip- stressed. I turn on iTunes and juggle and ment such as the unicycle and hula hoops, and dance to whatever is playing on shuffle. hang out with my new friends. I I got into juggling in sixth grade when I saw a notice on the bulletin at my middle school the hula hoop made it more fun inviting people to join the South Pasadena Jug- One day my friend, a woman named Yukie, gling Club. I’d been curious about juggling ev- brought several hula hoops to juggling club. I er since I went to circuses when I was little, so had always been good at hula hooping, but I had I jumped at the chance to learn. no idea that it was part of juggling. Yukie and I had no idea what to expect when I arrived I became hula hooping buddies. We learned at my school gym where the juggling club met. I how to do several hula hooping tricks, includ- was astonished by the commotion. There were ing one where you start with the hoop around people juggling balls and rings, and a group of your waist, bring the hula hoop onto your arms people juggling clubs with one another. There while the hula hoop is still revolving, and bring were about 20 people of all ages, and I even rec- it back down again to the waist. The trick we’re ognized a few people from school. currently working on is juggling balls to each Still dazed by what was going on around me, other while hula hooping at the same time. This a man came up and introduced himself as Bry- is difficult because our hula hoops can easily an. He turned out to be the founder of the club. bump into each other if we get too close. How- He got me started by tossing one ball in the air. ever, one day when we were practicing, we did Easy enough, right? After a couple of tosses of the trick for a minute. “Oh my god, we did it!” throwing one ball in the air at the same height, Yukie said. We were both ecstatic. Usually, we he handed me a second ball. It started to get chal- last for only 30 seconds, so we’re still working lenging. Juggling with two balls requires you to on consistency. toss each ball at a certain height and approxi- I love the people in my juggling club like Bry- mately within shoulder width of each other. As an, Yukie and Spencer, who is a librarian and an I tried to juggle with two balls, they were flying actress. When we take breaks from juggling, I out of my reach and I couldn’t catch them. I have enjoy talking to her. Once I asked her a question never been a great multitasker, and trying to jug- for history class and we started talking about gle two balls was a lot to get my head around. Shakespeare. “I’ve been in hundreds of Shake- speare plays!” she said. I think it’s cool that she before Juggling three balls knows about a bunch of different things. I also i had to master two ask her for book recommendations, since I’m a A couple weeks later I was still trying. “Imag- fan of mystery novels. My friends who joined the ine yourself in a box,” Bryan said. This tech- Catching on club in middle school stopped going in ninth nique failed for me, because I couldn’t imagine grade because of homework, but new middle myself in a box when the balls were still flying schoolers and high schoolers have joined. When all over the place and would sometimes land my friends and I grab juggling balls and start 10 feet away from me. I became too lazy to pick to jugglıng passing them with each other, I’m amazed at the balls up from the ground, so I started jug- how diverse and close we are. gling next to the stack of mats against the wall It took patience to learn but now It’s a fantastic feeling to know that I’ve so I wouldn’t need to bend down and pick up learned to do something that took a lot of hard the balls when I dropped them. Bryan sug- I’m always trying new tricks work, dedication and patience. The experiences gested that I juggle in a “J” formation to absorb that I have had juggling with friends are com- the shock when the ball comes down, mean- pletely worth it. It’s wonderful being so close ing that you should catch the ball like you’re with people who share the same passion as catching a water balloon. to balls, rings and finally clubs. Scarves were a two-person, three-ball juggling technique, me—juggling. After weeks of practice, I could finally jug- easy and I quickly moved on to the challenge where two people stand side by side and use gle two balls. I was excited for a moment, but of juggling three balls. only their outer hands to juggle three balls as then Bryan gave me a third ball. I knew it was When I saw all these people who had nev- if they were one person. That helped a lot, be- going to be hard, but when I couldn’t do it after er juggled before move ahead of me in class, cause it gave me a feel for the rhythm of jug- Freddy says that trying for a month, I decided to stop juggling. I I was jealous. Being the competitive person gling without actually having to juggle three as long as you put didn’t think I would ever figure it out. that I am, I decided to join the juggling club balls at once. in the time to do Juggling popped up in my life again the next again. I went back with a goal—to pass jug- After much practicing and bending down something, you’ll school year in seventh grade P.E. My teacher gling in P.E. I was greeted with familiar fac- and picking up dropped balls, I was finally succeed. would test us on how many times we could jug- es, and I also saw that a lot of my friends had able to (clumsily) juggle three balls in P.E. and gle without dropping what we were juggling. joined for the same reason. moved on to rings. Rings were easier once I was We started with scarves, and then moved on Bryan and I tried more techniques, such as able to juggle balls. After all the hard work and www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth  cover story

My second chance at school After ditching and a serious illness, an alternative high school got me back on track to graduate

By Patricia Chavarria sophomore year and could take it again as a 18, Cesar Chavez Continuation HS junior or senior, I didn’t worry. (Compton) By sophomore year I was a well-behaved, A student, except for math. I had a C, but my rowing up my parents would tell me teacher gave me that grade only because he saw almost every week how important me trying. I deserved a D. My mom wanted to my education was. They would tell know why I had a C, so I explained how I had Gme not to end up like them—waking problems understanding math. She said that up early for work and coming home late just to I should ask the teacher for help. get paid a low salary for a job you don’t like. So But one morning in mid-November I woke I studied hard and got good grades. up feeling more tired than ever, because I had But beginning in middle school I started to stayed up late watching Smallville with my old- lose interest in school and my grades got worse. er brother. Not going to school and pretend- A lot of my classmates said that you couldn’t ing to understand what the math teacher was be held back, so I didn’t try my hardest. I didn’t saying sounded great. I knew I could fool my bring my books to math class, because I liked mom, who drove my sister to school and then talking to my friends rather than doing equa- went straight to work. I thought that if I stayed tions and fractions. home for one day it wouldn’t hurt me. When my mom saw my report cards she would ask why I hadn’t turned in homework. I I worried about getting caught told her that I would try harder, but I didn’t. She My mom knocked on my door and said she would ground me for a week or two and take was leaving. I tried to go back to sleep, but I away my television and phone privileges. couldn’t. I kept worrying that my mom would After seventh grade I had to take summer come home at any minute because she forgot school because I was behind. Throughout something. Since I couldn’t sleep, I cleaned eighth grade I tried my hardest so that I could the house a little and watched TV. At 2:20 p.m. graduate with my class. It was difficult, but I I walked to my sister’s school and picked her did it. My mom was so proud that she took me up, like I did every day. My brother came home out to dinner and kept telling me how she knew from work around 5 p.m. and then my mom I wasn’t going to let her down. at 6. She asked me how school was. I lied and Freshman year at Compton High was a new told her school was great. start. I realized that every mistake would be The next day I felt the urge to ditch again. I counted against me graduating. I tried to al- wasn’t in the mood to take notes about things ways be the first one to turn in class work and that weren’t going to help me fulfill my dream of while other people chatted about who they becoming an actress. I watched Maury, Small- liked, I kept my head in my books. ville, Scrubs and my favorite movie, The Phan- But algebra was my weakness. In class I tom of the Opera. would look at the board and see all these num- By January I had missed about 40 days in a bers, letters and symbols and regret not taking row. Every day my mom asked me how school math seriously in middle school. It was irritat- was and if I had homework. I would lie and ing trying to do my homework when I didn’t un- tell her school was fine. And every night I lis- derstand it, so I copied a friend’s homework. tened to music in my room, while my mom I knew that I should have gotten help from thought I was studying. It was unbelievable a teacher, but I was so fed up with math that to me that no one had found out. Some of my I chose hanging out with my friends instead friends called me to see if I was OK. I was ner- of trying to learn it. I also knew that I need- vous. I didn’t want them to know the truth ed to understand math to pass the state exit because they would probably tell the princi- exam (CAHSEE), which I needed to graduate. pal or call my mom. I told them I was out of But since I wouldn’t be taking the exam until town and didn’t know when I would be back.

10 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com Below, a sign in Patricia’s But then I felt guilty because I was lying to my classroom motivates students. At best friends. By January I had missed about 40 bottom, Patricia with her favorite I visited my dad’s family on weekends and days in a row. Every day my mom My second chance at school teacher, Mr. Mills, who teaches they would tell me how proud they were of me English. for trying to learn math. This made me feel After ditching and a serious illness, an alternative high school even guiltier. I knew school was important be- asked me how school was and if I cause I needed to graduate to have a chance had homework. I would lie and tell got me back on track to graduate at a better future. One day in late January I saw that the school had sent a letter to my parents. I was terrified. I her school was fine. And every night opened the letter, which said that I hadn’t been going to school and that the counselor needed I listened to music in my room, while to speak to my parents in person to talk about my absences. I hid the letter in my dresser. I my mom thought I was studying. knew my mom would be furious. I was filled with guilt and regret. At dinner I wanted to to Cesar Chavez Continuation High School. I day for two months. I mostly slept because of tell my mom. My mouth would open, but the had heard about that school from some of my the pain or watched TV. I missed three months words wouldn’t come out. friends and I also had a cousin who attended of school and I knew I wouldn’t be returning to Chavez. They said that all the bad kids went Compton High. There were only a few weeks left i told my mom the truth there and that there were always fights. I asked in the school year so my mom and I decided I about my ditching the lady from the district if there was anoth- should start fresh beginning with senior year. I skipped school the next day and thought er school I could go to, but she said that was I was so behind that my counselor put me about what I was going to do. I couldn’t go back the only school that would accept me. She told in both morning and afternoon sessions at to school without a parent coming with me to me if I earned enough credits I could return to Chavez. I went to school from 8:30 a.m. until talk to my counselor. I decided to tell my mom Compton High and graduate with my class. 3:21 p.m. and I took four classes in each session. everything because I couldn’t live with the lies Hearing this made me feel great. I was deter- In March, I also started a program in which I anymore. That afternoon while I waited for her mined to do my best. took two other classes that I needed to make to get home I was trembling. We sat down and I up. These classes were self-paced and taught told her that I had been ditching school for more a fresh start at a new school on the computers at school. Each class went than two months because school was stressing Starting at Chavez I was nervous. I didn’t from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. me out with all the exams, grades and home- know anyone. But the students were not as Taking all these classes was a challenge. work. My mom yelled at me and told me that scary as people had said. I didn’t make friends, After dinner, I had to help my sister with her school was important for my future. She told which was OK because that gave me time to homework while doing mine because my mom me that she only wants me to do better than her. focus on school. worked late. Then I would spend a few hours She was so disappointed in me that she cried. There were two school sessions; my classes doing my homework, usually staying up until Seeing that, I knew I had failed her. didn’t begin until 12:15 p.m. I had English, his- about midnight. My desire to graduate kept The next day was Saturday and I woke up tory, algebra II and biology. One question kept me motivated. feeling really sick. I had a sharp pain at the bot- running through my head: “What if I struggle My life hasn’t been what I imagined back tom of my spine, like I was being stabbed. My even more in math and I give up again?” This when I was a freshman. I thought that when mom took me to the hospital. The doctor said time I promised myself I would ask the teach- I was a senior I’d be hanging out with friends, I had an infection and gave me four shots. The er for help if I had trouble. going to prom and preparing for UCLA or doctor prescribed painkillers and said I couldn’t There were about 10 students in each class, USC. But now I don’t see my old Compton go to school because I couldn’t sit. He wasn’t so the teacher had time to help any student who High friends very often, I couldn’t go to prom sure how long it would take to heal, but that I was behind. My math teacher would sit with because I didn’t have enough credits and I’m couldn’t go back to school until it didn’t hurt me and go through graphing, solving equa- still at Chavez because I was so behind that I anymore. While home recovering I was required tions and other problems I needed help with. couldn’t graduate on time. I’m angry with my- to lie on my stomach all the time. Now I was At Compton High where there were about 30 self for listening to the devil on my shoulder that missing school for a legitimate reason. My mom students in a class, the teacher wouldn’t have told me to ditch. But I am thankful for Chavez— even missed work to take care of me. had time to do that. a school where students like me, who ditched Around March I finally felt better. My mom Despite the fact that there were some fights and regret it, get another chance. and I talked to my counselor, who said that I and ditching at Chavez, I thought school was couldn’t stay at Compton High because I didn’t going well. I even made some friends. I had have enough credits. I wasn’t surprised. I knew great teachers and good grades—even in math. Patricia says there was a limit to how many days a student But one Sunday morning in February of junior that education could miss. It was my fault. I kept asking my- year I started to feel that same sharp pain in is important for self: “When did I became so irresponsible? Why my spine. My mom took me to the hospital. I your future, so didn’t I care?” I thought about how I wouldn’t was so scared. The doctor said I needed sur- don’t give up, see my friends anymore or graduate with them. gery. She said they needed to make a hole in even when school I thought of all the colleges that had just slipped my lower back and put tubes in it because the gets tough. out of my hands. infection went even deeper than before. After The school district told me that I had to go surgery I had to stay home on my stomach all

www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth 11 cover story

Determined to finish Teens who were at risk of dropping out share how an alternative school helped them succeed

Los Angeles County has one of the highest dropout rates in the country—more than 20 percent their home lives are very unstable. L.A. Youth: What would improve the expe- of students leave school before graduating. But not everyone who is at risk ends up dropping out. One riences for students here? option for those students is a continuation school, where students go if they are short a lot of credits, Riyanna: We need music programs and they’ve been kicked out of school for disciplinary reasons or had very poor attendance. (Teen parents sports. A lot of the kids wanted that, me in particular with music. I play the guitar and I also can attend continuation schools.) We went to Cesar Chavez Continuation High School in Compton would have liked to bring my guitar and go to and talked to three students who had just graduated and one current student. They said smaller class a music class. And a lot of boys play basketball sizes, more individual attention and teachers who care kept them on a path to graduate. and there was no place to play basketball. Bianca: I think they should have child care on campus. I recently got cut off of child care L.A. Youth: Why did you come here and and it was hard for me to come to school. Al- what were your expectations? so, music programs. I like to play piano. Bianca Rodriguez, 17, formerly of Compton Patricia: They could have art. It’s a way to HS: I came here because I got pregnant. I ex- express yourself. I like drawing and painting. pected it to be better than a regular school L.A. Youth: What are your plans after because there was a teen mothers school [on graduation? And has being at Cesar Chavez the campus also]—so I expected them to give changed those plans? me leniency about coming to school and how Riyanna: Cesar Chavez hasn’t really I have to get my work done. From left: Shabrika changed my plans. It made me want to do Riyanna Iverson, 17, formerly of Compton Flemister, Bianca them more. My plan is I am going to attend HS: I got here because I didn’t go to class [for Rodriguez (holding Cerritos College and then transfer over to Cal long periods of ninth, 10th and 11th grades]. I her daughter), State Fullerton or UC Irvine and I’m going to came [here] second semester of 11th grade. I Riyanna Iverson and study criminal justice and psychology. heard bad stuff about the school—all the stu- Patricia Chavarria. Bianca: Chavez has changed me. I didn’t dents banged and the teachers weren’t good Photo by Jasper want to go to school and now I’m going to col- and you could just do whatever you want. But Nahid, 15, New lege. I’m going to Cerritos and then I’m trans- [Bianca] was here before I was. She was tell- Roads School ferring to UC Irvine and I really don’t know ing me that the school wasn’t like that so I had (Santa Monica) what I want to do but I’m going to do some- high expectations when I came here. thing in psychology and dealing with chil- Patricia Chavarria, 18, formerly of Comp- dren. ton HS: I came here because I used to ditch a Patricia: I’m thinking after next year I’ll go lot. My cousin went here and he told me that to Compton College and transfer to UCLA. it was a bad school. When I got here it was dif- to them on a personal level. If it wasn’t for Mr. than what you expected? Shabrika: I would like to go to the military ferent. The teachers actually do care. Sinclair I would have not passed the CAHSEE Bianca: Coming here, I thought I wasn’t academy—either the Army or the Air Force. If Shabrika Flemister, 19: My lack of commit- (the California high school exit exam, which going to graduate on time. But the teach- I was to study something I would do anything ment to my education. all students must pass to graduate). I love Mr. ers made me want to come to school. I didn’t from psychology to being a personal train- L.A. Youth: How has it been better here Sinclair; he’s my favorite math teacher. And I want to go to college, because I didn’t like er or criminal justice. Those are my passions. than at Compton? hate math, so that’s saying something. school. Now I want to go to college. I want to Coming here helped shape those things. Bianca: Here if I tell some of my teachers L.A. Youth: How have the teachers been better myself and do better for my daughter. L.A. Youth: What message do you have? that I have to take my daughter to an appoint- able to get through to you? L.A. Youth: Why do you think kids drop Shabrika: Since I’ve been here I had to take ment, they’ll give me the work and be like Riyanna: Mr. Castro—awesome teach- out? 10 classes a day from 7:30 to 4:15. Then after “OK, just turn it in when you come back.” The er. He was my first period. I wanted to be at Riyanna: For me there were a lot of people school I have to go clean, look for a job, shop classes are shorter (they’re only 45 minutes), school early so me and him would have con- telling me that I wasn’t going to graduate. And for groceries. I just want to encourage any- so I can come to school, then go home, go to versations about what was going on in Amer- because of them telling me that, it just made body that they can do it, if you got the heart work, then pick up my daughter and actually ica and about music. Chavez was the best me not want to do [well in school], because and you got the strength. spend time with her. I like the teachers here. I thing that ever happened to me. I don’t think they were telling me I couldn’t. Patricia: Students shouldn’t give up. They like how the school is small. I would have been able to graduate if I would Bianca: My brother dropped out. He was should try to find help and people to encour- L.A. Youth: Did you feel like you got a lot of have stayed at Compton. The [teachers here] like, “Why should I go to school when I can age them. individual attention at Compton? put so much faith in you. So you want to hang out with friends?” Riyanna: Just because you have to go to Riyanna: [There was] only one teacher that prove them right and let them know that it Patricia: They don’t believe in themselves. continuation school doesn’t mean you won’t I talked to at my old school. Here I have a re- wasn’t wrong for them to believe in you. Shabrika: I think a lot of people drop out of make it to a university. You could be the next lationship with all of my teachers. And I talk L.A. Youth: How has Chavez been more school because of peer pressure, drugs … and Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.

12 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com A mirror reflects what you look like on the outside but can’t fully capture who you are. l.a.youth We want to know how you see yourself. Show us what defines you. It could be what you’re passionate about—maybe it’s art, sports, fashion or school. Or it could be the side of you that others don’t always see— Art Contest: the part that is 1st pl ace creative or cares about others or $75 The real me is proud of your 2nd & culture. Show 3rd pl ac us the real you. $50 e rules

1) Contest entries must be original artwork of Los Angeles County youth ages 13 to 19.

2) The work may be done in any medium, including acrylics, oils, charcoal, pencil, pen, watercolor, collage, multimedia, photography or sculpture. The dimensions should be 8 1/2” by 11”. Three-dimensional artwork should include a photograph of the artwork.

3) Each artist may submit only one entry.

4) The artist’s name, age, address and phone number should be included on the back of the artwork. If the artist is in school, the school’s name should be included. If the artwork was created as an assigned project in a classroom, the teacher’s name should be listed. Artwork will be returned if a return address is provided.

The teen staff of L.A. Youth will select a first-, second- and third-place winner as well as some honorable mentions. The first-place winner and his or her teacher will each receive $75. Second- and third-place winning students and teachers will each receive $50. Winners and honorable mentions will be published in the May-June 2010 issue of L.A. Youth newspaper and on www.layouth.com.

Questions? Contact (323) 938-9194 or [email protected].

Send submissions to:

artwork from l.a. youth archives L.A. Youth 5967 W. Third St., Suite 301 DEADLINE: March 31, 2010 Los Angeles, CA 90036

www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth 13 exploring L.A.

By Charlene Lee 16, Walnut HS developed land before in L.A. After two hours of biking, Sammie and I fter spending last sum- called it quits—our water supply was deplet- mer stuck in an office fac- ed and the 100-degree heat was overwhelm- ing an empty wall, I wanted ing. After getting back, we had proof of our to spend this summer out- hours riding in the sun: helmet strap tans on doors. I knew there were our chins. bike trails in L.A. because I My next trail was the one I had seen while always drive down the 605 driving down the 605 and the one I had been Afreeway and see bikers zooming by on a path waiting for the most: the 3 San Gabriel River next to the freeway. I wanted to see the city Trail, which stretches from the base of the San from a view other than my car. So I decided to Gabriel Mountains east of L.A. all the way down give sightseeing on my bike a try. to Long Beach. This was my longest ride—20 My first destination was the 1 Ballona miles out of an 80-mile roundtrip path. Creek Bike Path in Marina del Rey. I realized I went online to plan the trip and found I had forgotten both a helmet (a big no-no, ac- websites with instructions, pictures and cording to the bike safety patrol officer I met maps. There I found out where the entrance on the path) and water. was, where we had to park and how long the I was worried that I would be too out of trail was. shape to bike even a mile because I had quit My 21-year-old cousin, his two college all my school sports my junior year. But luck- roommates and I parked for free in the San- ily, the concrete path was flat and ta Fe Recreational Area lot in Irwindale easy. I started near the end of and rode to the entrance of the trail, the trail and raced through which started at the top of the two and a half miles   Santa Fe Dam wall. We head- in less than 30 min-  ed south just as the sun was 2  utes. The sailboat-  3 beginning to set. The wall ! dotted marina was  curved ahead so we could on my right and the see the tiny silhouettes of large creek on my left. 1 people biking and run- Though this trail was ning atop it. As we head- more private than the ed toward the freeway I had touristy beach paths, it two different views—on one also had piercing winds side, there was a mass of trees that made it cold. I was disap- so dense I couldn’t see the ground pointed with the little scenery I saw and on the other, power lines and giant besides the marina and the creek, which was warehouses. It was strange feeling both in the concrete and covered in graffiti. I decided to city and outside of it at the same time. make my next ride more secluded from the When we got to just above the 605 freeway, city to see more nature. we stopped because I wanted to see the view. This led me to bike through the 2 Marvin I felt relaxed watching the traffic below me. Braude Mulholland Gateway Park in Tarzana Unlike the cars that were rushing to go some- with my friend, Sammie, who recommended where, I was taking the time to admire where it because she’d gone there as a kid. This time, I was. Then I realized we needed to ride back transportation was tough because we had because the parking lot was about to close. only one car but two bikes. After digging out We rode back fast and were relieved that we her parents’ bike rack from her garage, we returned just in time, as the exit gates were spent 20 minutes outside strapping it onto her closing. car. It was 10 a.m. and it was already so hot. Next time I want to ride all the way down We went back inside to grab our sunglasses, to Long Beach. I never knew there was another sunscreen, trail mix and water (one bottle side of Los Angeles—one that was free of cars each), then headed out. and gasoline. Now I know these trails exist The hardest part was riding up the steep whenever I (and you, as well) want to leave the concrete path to the entrance of the trail. We city and escape to areas of nature and peace. were already tired when we reached the top but we now needed to ride on a dirt path to the other side of the mountain. My bike was getting fixed so I had borrowed Sammie’s Charlene says neighbor’s bike, which was a beach cruis- to check out er. It turned out to be the wrong kind of bike labikepaths.com because the basket blocked my view of the to get the info you path in front of me, which made it difficult to need to plan a dodge the rocks and plants. At the top I saw bike trip. L.A. on two wheels a huge valley with trees, flowers and rolling hills. I had never seen so much beautiful, un-

14 l.a.youth October 2009 These photos are from Charlene’s trips to a bike path in the San Fernando Valley and another along the San Gabriel River. At right, Sammie and Charlene get ready for their ride. Photos by Charlene Lee, 16, Walnut HS and Ryan Yee, 21.

I got out of my car and explored the city on bike paths L.A. on two wheels

October 2009 l.a.youth 15 sexual health

Taking on teen pregnancy The play I was part of taught me and my classmates about the consequences of sex

By Ernesto Pineda The play takes place at a school. One of the one girl who doesn’t think I’m best friend Stu, school, my teacher, Nicole, decided to teach 17, Animo Film & Theatre Arts Charter HS main characters, Lucy, says she’s beyond high or buddy Stu or guy who is funny but I couldn’t us so that we were more informed. She gave us school boys. She goes to a college frat party date in a million years Stu …” study sheets that showed the reproductive sys- ast school year when my drama class and drinks too much. She has sex and realiz- It was hard to remember my lines. But it was tem and different contraceptives, like condoms, picked The Pregnancy Project as the es she might be pregnant because she didn’t still fun practicing our lines and feeling what the birth control pill, diaphragm, spermicide play we would perform, I didn’t know use protection. She thinks, “This can’t happen it was like to act and getting everyone to co- and emergency contraception (the morning- Lwhat the play was about. I was just try- to me, my life is perfect.” Lucy finds out she operate. In the play, everyone in the sex edu- after pill). Some of those I hadn’t heard about. ing to get a part to see what it was like to act. is pregnant and is afraid of what her friends cation class wears a pregnancy belly (even the It was nice to be more aware of other forms Luckily I got a part, and once we started read- will think. guys) to experience what it is like to be preg- of protection. Nicole talked about how effec- ing the play, I realized the topic, teen pregnan- The other roles are the students in a sex ed- nant. We used pillows. At first some of us for- tive each method was at preventing pregnan- cy, was important. ucation class. My character’s name was Stu. I got to bring our pregnancy bellies, so we would cy. Abstinence, which is not having sex, is 100 In South Central, where I live, I see young was the comic relief. My friend Juan believed it get square couch pillows and put them under percent effective; a condom is 98 percent ef- mothers on the bus or at the store, with their fit me perfectly. Stu had very bad luck with girls. our shirts. It looked like we had square babies fective when used correctly. children in their arms or in strollers. It starts I have the same experience. I tried to make my in our stomachs. As it got close to the performance, people to seem normal, but should it be? I think that lines as funny as I could, like this monologue: were tired. We’d read our lines hundreds of by doing this play, we showed people that they “Could you imagine how amazing the robot rehearsal was like a sex ed class times. Nicole said it was important because should be aware of the consequences of sex. stork would be? Not that it matters. I can’t find Since we don’t have sex education at our our school, which is very small with just 100

Condom stops ovulation, so A latex sheath (called a rubber) covers the penis no egg is released. Ways to protect yourself and collects the semen, preventing sperm from Success entering a woman’s vagina. A backup form of Rate: With typi- From costs to how effective they are, the pros birth control cal use, eight could be used, women in 100 and cons of different birth control methods such as birth become preg- control pills, nant in one year. Depo-Provera or With perfect use, fewer than one woman in 100 Success Diaphragm Implanon. will become pregnant in one year. Pros: Pro- Rate: With A woman uses spermicide to coat this dome- Success vides non-stop protection against pregnancy. typical use, shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim. Then she Rate: With typi- You’ll know exactly when your period is go- three women places it inside the vagina to cover the cervix, cal use, 15 women in 100 will become pregnant ing to come. You’ll have less PMS and cramps. in 100 become where it blocks sperm. in one year. With perfect use, two women in Cons: Offers no protection against STDs in- pregnant in Success Rate: With typical use, 16 women 100 will become pregnant in one year. Pros: It cluding HIV, so you must use a back-up meth- one year. With out of 100 become pregnant in one year. With provides good protection against most STDs, od. It can cause side effects such as nausea, perfect use, fewer perfect use, six women out of 100 become including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Plus, headaches, moodiness. Some women have no than one woman in 100 will become pregnant pregnant in one year. Pros: It can be put in it’s cheap, easy to carry around and can be side effects, but usually side effects go away in one year. Pros: Once you get the shot, place up to six bought at any drugstore without a prescription. after a few months. You need to remember to you don’t have to think about it for another hours before Cons: It can fall off or break if it’s not put on take the pill every day at the same time. How three months. Cons: You have to see a doctor intercourse and correctly; likewise, it can leak if not withdrawn To Get It: Through a prescription from a doctor for another shot every three months. Offers can stay there carefully. Condoms must not be used with or a family planning clinic; the cost runs $15 to no protection against STDs including HIV. for 24 (though any oil-based lubricants like Vaseline or mas- $40 a month plus the cost of the medical visit. Some women have weight gain and irregular fresh spermi- sage oil. Some people are allergic to the latex Many clinics have sliding scale fees—so an periods. Can cause bone loss, which is cide should be but plastic condoms are available. How To Get exam and the pills may be free or low cost. generally reversible after stopping. How To Get applied without It: At drugstores and supermarkets; costs 50¢ to It: Requires a medical visit every three months removing the $2 each. They are often available free at family Depo-Provera injection with a doctor or family planning clinic; the diaphragm each time you have intercourse). planning or health clinics. A woman gets a shot of the hormone progestin in cost is about $35 per shot, plus the cost of the It is usually not felt by either partner during her arm or hips every three months. Like the Pill, office visit. Many clinics have sliding scale sex. Cons: Won’t protect against STDs includ- Birth control pill Depo-Provera prevents pregnancy by keeping the fees—so an exam and the shot may be free or ing HIV; can increase the risk of urinary tract A woman takes a hormone pill every day that ovaries from releasing eggs. low cost. infections and toxic shock syndrome. Can be

16 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com students, had three students in three years between love and sex? How do you define how your parents or school don’t teach you, who who were pregnant. Some teens aren’t aware you really love someone? If you have sex with do you turn to? Most teens don’t know where of how serious the risk of pregnancy and STDs a person, do you then love them? Is there con- to go to get informed. Where to get is, which might be due to lack of information. fusion that sex is love? I think everyone should think about the birth control Last year a 10th grader was doing a presenta- consequences of having sex. It’s a big deci- tion about sex education to 40 students. (At our classmates took it seriously sion. It can change your life. My personal de- Check out these resources to find my school, students design projects that they When the play was over we had a question cision is I’m going to wait to be sexually active. a health clinic near you where you choose.) She said teens don’t know how to use and answer session when two people in the play I don’t want to risk getting someone pregnant. can get confidential services, in- a condom correctly. She put us to the test. Out answered questions. One person asked, “Do I don’t want that responsibility at a young age. cluding birth control and STD of four groups, only one put the condom on the you think you could do this outside of school?” I see how it changed my parents’ lives. My dad testing. Most clinics charge sliding banana correctly. She was proven right. They wanted us to continue and perform the was 21 and my mom was 17 when she got preg- scale fees based on a teen’s in- We performed the play for the students in play somewhere else. I felt we made an impact nant. My mother was an A student. She had come, making many services free. our school at a theater downtown. We were and they learned something. Afterward the to quit high school and get a job. By choosing all nervous, just waiting backstage. Jose was students and teachers said we did a good job. not to have sex now, I can focus on different Planned Parenthood so nervous he was sweating. I said, “It’ll be Some said the play had a good message. things, like hanging out with my friends, and Call (800) 576-5544 all right. We can do this,” even though I was I liked the message the play was trying to I can prepare for what to do once I graduate for locations. Or go to nervous too. get across—to be more cautious and don’t take from high school. www.plannedparenthood.org Not only does the play tell Lucy’s story, it the risk of pregnancy lightly. I hope teens use also shows the other characters’ perspectives protection and ask someone reliable for in- Teensource.org on sex. One character is afraid of having sex formation if they’re going to be sexually ac- Ernesto believes Click on the “Find a Clinic” link and another believes she’s prepared. Anoth- tive. Know whether you are ready for sex: Is teens should er doesn’t know anything. She thinks she can it the right thing for you to do and the right take the time Health Services get pregnant from a toilet seat if a guy used it time to do it? to get more Information before her (this is not true). I think all schools should have comprehen- informed about Call (800) 427-8700 in Los One character, Tilly, is pressured by her sive sex education that includes how to pro- how to protect Angeles County to get referred boyfriend, “If you love me you’ll do it,” so she tect yourself. I think my school should assign themselves. to a clinic near you asks herself, “When are love and sex the same a teacher to teach sex ed. All my parents have thing?” That line hit me. What is the difference told me about sex is “use a condom.” When

messy (because of the spermicide) and clumsy women will become pregnant. With perfect a doctor or family planning clinic; the cost is fees—so an IUD may be free or low cost. to use until you get the hang of it. Also, it has use, five out of 100 will become pregnant. $500-$800, plus the cost of removal. Many clin- to stay in place for six hours after intercourse Pros: Protects against STDs, including HIV, ics have sliding scale fees—so Implanon may Emergency contraception and then needs to be washed thoroughly with and you can get it without a prescription. Also, be free or low cost. It is an emergency method of birth control and soap and water. Gaining or losing more than you can insert it up to eight hours before hav- should not be used as your regular birth control 20 pounds might mean you need a different ing intercourse. Cons: The outside ring can IUD method, but can be taken within five days after size. How To Get It: Through a prescription slide inside the vagina during intercourse. Can A doctor inserts a small t-shaped piece of plastic unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. A woman from a doctor or family planning clinic; the be awkward to use; must be removed right af- into a woman’s uterus. The two types, one that takes a pill (called Plan B) containing hormones cost is $30 to $40 plus medical exam and fit- ter intercourse, before you stand up, to prevent releases hormones and another that is covered to prevent pregnancy. It will not disrupt an ting. The spermicidal jelly, cream or foam costs semen leakage. How To Get It: Buy it at drug- by a copper wire, already established pregnancy. from $8 to $15 a tube. Many clinics have slid- stores or supermarkets or get it from family work in different Success Rate: If taken within three days of un- ing scale fees—so an exam and the diaphragm planning clinics; costs $2 to $4 each. ways to prevent protected sex, one women in 100 will get preg- may be free or low cost. A diaphragm will last pregnancy. nant. It is more effective the sooner it is taken. about a year. Implant (Implanon) Success Pros: It can prevent you from getting pregnant A small plastic tube is inserted under the skin Rate: Fewer than if you had un- Female condom of a woman’s upper arm, and the tube releases one woman in protected sex. A thin plastic sheath, shaped like a sock with hormones that prevent pregnancy. 100 become preg- Cons: Doesn’t flexible rings at each end. The ring at the closed Success Rate: Less than one woman in 1,000 nant in one year. protect against end holds the pouch in place inside the vagina, becomes preg- Pros: It protects against pregnancy for five to STDs including while the ring at the open end remains outside the nant in one year. 10 years without you having to do a thing. The HIV; may cause vagina. The pouch Pros: It protects copper type is an option for women who can- nausea. If you do collects semen against pregnan- not use a hormonal method of birth control. not get your pe- and prevents it cy for up to three Cons: Need to check the string every month to riod within three from entering the years—without make sure it is in place. Doesn’t protect against weeks, you should do a pregnancy test. How To vagina. It should you having to do STDs, including HIV; may cause irregular pe- Get It: If you are 17 or older, a male or female be used with a anything. Cons: Doesn’t protect against STDs riods. How To Get It: Requires a medical visit can buy Plan B at drugstores or family plan- spermicide or including HIV; may cause irregular periods, with a doctor or family planning clinic; the cost ning clinics; costs $10 to $45. Many clinics have another form of birth control such as the Pill, nausea, headaches, weight gain. Some women is $250 plus the cost of having a doctor insert sliding scale fees—so Plan B may be free or low Depo-Provera or Implanon. may be able to see the rods under the skin. and remove it. It’s a lot of money, but it lasts cost. If you are younger than 17, it requires a Success Rate: With typical use, 21 out of 100 How To Get It: Requires a medical visit with five to 10 years. Many clinics have sliding scale visit to a doctor or family planning clinic.

Source: itsyoursexlife.com and Planned Parenthood Los Angeles

www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth 17 school

There’s more to school than books In Korea all I did was study, but in America I get to pursue my interests

By Benjamin Bang chose our subjects. Our classroom stayed the brought in his tutor’s work and turned it in as friends after lunch at school or when we rarely 17, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS same (teachers would rotate, not us). I had seven if it were his own. The teacher didn’t care as had common free time, the field was dirt and to eight subjects that would change each day. long as we turned something in, so he got a sometimes the nets were missing and to think moved to the United States from Korea two They were social studies, math, science, Korean, better grade than I did. I was pissed. Anoth- of referee and a coach was just funny. years ago for a better education. In Korea, moral education, English, P.E., technology/ er time, when I asked for feedback, the teach- As I got better at English, I spent less time teachers and schools don’t care who you domestics, music and art. In moral education, er told me to come back later but as the class in ESL (English as a Second Language). I had Iare or what you are interested in, they on- we memorized rules such as the ways to make ended, she would leave the room to avoid my room for two more classes and took art and ly care about what and how much you memo- a society better. question. I lost interest in art and I thought it electronic art. Teachers would go around the rize. I felt like I was caged. In America, you can In music, art and P.E., the written tests were was just another boring subject. room to give feedback on my paintings. They choose the classes you want to take and explore a big part of our grades. In P.E., when the test I am not trying to say that the Korean edu- didn’t teach because it was going to be on the your interests before going to college. came closer, most of the students actually cational system is pointless. It just didn’t suit test, but because they really wanted us to learn. When I was in Korea, I met a friend who lived brought books and studied at school. I mean, me. I didn’t like that all of us had to do the same In electronic art class, I used Photoshop for the in San Francisco and visited Korea a lot. He told there were questions like, how many players thing, when each of us has different talents. first time. One day we had to go out with a dig- me he could choose his classes. He had time to are there in a soccer game, what rules are there And four exams deciding my grade for the en- ital camera and take photos of the campus. Af- do extracurricular activities and on top of that in baseball and what is the size of an official tire year was just too cruel. terward, we used Photoshop to combine the had a girlfriend. I was jealous that he was do- photos and come up with a finished project. ing things that I had no time to do. It felt like he I also got to create patterns, nametags, busi- was living in a totally different world. I wanted ness cards and maps. Compared to my Kore- to find what I truly enjoyed doing too. an school, this school was fun. In Korea, most kids have tutors starting from When Coach awarded For ninth grade, I went to Sunny Hills High first grade if they want to go to a good college. School in Fullerton, but I had to move to Ran- When I was a first grader, my mom, who was me with most improved cho Palos Verdes to live with my aunt when an English tutor, used to tutor me and other my dad and mom returned to Korea. I knew if kids in English. I had a math tutor who gave player I was so surprised I went back to Korea, it would be almost im- me a packet full of work that she would check possible to catch up and I hated that system. I the next week. In middle school, I went to three didn’t see any reason to return, so I asked my English grammar academies, but I never un- that I didn’t stand up. My parents if I could stay here for college. They derstood anything, not even noun and verb agreed under one condition, that I go to at least agreements. We never wrote using the rules friends shook me and I UC Berkeley or UCLA. they made us memorize. On top of studying, parents make their kids I liked getting to choose my classes do everything. When I entered third grade, my realized that I just won As soon as I came to Palos Verdes Penin- parents made me play piano and violin, take sula High, even more choices were available. I swimming and Chinese classes. As a little kid the first award in my life. had a counseling session to go over my sched- who’d rather watch cartoons or play sports, I ule. The counselor recommended that I join felt like these activities were a waste of time. the track team when I said I like running and Most of all, I was so tired from swimming that playing soccer. Since the soccer season was over every time I’d go to violin class I’d fall asleep. basketball. We would learn faster if we played In January 2007, my dad got a job teaching and I didn’t want to get out of shape, I said yes. One time, I didn’t even open the violin case, those sports and learned from experience. at Cal State Fullerton. I thought, “Yes! This is She also asked me whether I wanted to join the and slept until the time was up. On the days I my chance to get out of Korea.” I went to mid- honors program, which I knew would definite- didn’t have violin lessons, I took Chinese. But there was more reading dle school in Fullerton for eighth grade. Dur- ly increase my chances of getting into Berke- I was just a kid, it’s not like I was going to go to than painting in art class ing P.E., I found out about the school’s soccer ley or UCLA if I got good grades, so I said yes. China, so soon I forgot what I had learned. Art focused on art history, not creating art. team and its tryout date (I didn’t even know That was a big step, since it had been only a year When I entered middle school, I had tutors Test questions asked the name of the paint- what tryout meant). I went to the tryout and since I came to the United States. However, I on Saturdays and Sundays. My friends and I er of a given painting, what a technique was played better than I thought, making the soc- think that was the right choice, since honors were so busy that it was hard to hang out. In called, the time period of an art trend, and so cer team. We played soccer in Korea too, but classes have helped me improve a lot in Eng- school, we were told that we would have four on. When the non-written part of the test came, the fact that there were uniforms, a coach, ref- lish. She asked me if I wanted to continue art. exams in each subject during the year, which we barely knew how to paint. In seventh grade, erees and a grass soccer field was just so new Of course I said yes. would mostly determine our grades. The school when we had a scratchboard project, my friend to me. When I played soccer in Korea with my Even though I got into honors English, I was

18 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com Ben has gotten involved in lots of activities at Palos Verdes Peninsula HS. Here are two pieces of art he created, a picture of him running track and his soccer award. Collage by Sophia Richardson, 15, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies

I played my butt off even though it was rain- ing. I got hit in the face with the muddy ball, trapped it on my chest, slide tackled, and played so hard that my entire body was soaked with mud and rain. Since I played better than the coach (and I) anticipated, I started and played the whole last game. A few months after the season ended, we had our banquet. I didn’t feel like going but I followed my friends to the banquet. Then, boom! Coach awarded me with Most Improved Player. I was so surprised that when I heard my name, I didn’t stand up. My friends shook me and I realized that I just won the first award in my life. I started grinning, and couldn’t stop. The education in Korea is like making stamps, the same thing over and over. Some students like it. Being in one classroom makes you become close to other kids. But I did not like how the school and the society were forc- ing education to make us all the same. The education I’m getting in the U.S. is so different. I choose my own classes, joined hon- ors, play sports and actually enjoy coming to school. Choosing my own classes, clubs and sports made me more independent. In Korea, students don’t go to academies and have tu- tors because they want to. They do it because their parents told them to, or they feel they are behind or because the whole crowd is doing it. When I participate in clubs and classes that I like, instead of blindly following the crowd, I learn more and actually achieve something. I think it was the right choice to come to the U.S. In August when I visited Korea to see my family, my friends told me that I am more still struggling with speaking English, and I was club, math club, and the list goes on. I tried to For drawing and painting 2, we were in the confident and outgoing. I feel good about that bad at making friends. I didn’t have anyone to go to most of the clubs’ meetings the first day, same room as AP studio art students. Their change. eat with during lunch so for about a week I ate but they overlapped so I ended up choosing work inspired me to try harder. I submitted alone. One day, I saw some guys from track four clubs. I lacked English public speaking three pieces to our art show and when I saw who were eating together, and I joined them. skills so I thought Model United Nations and my paintings hanging on the wall, I felt tin- Ben hopes I still eat and hang out with that group. With- JSA, which are debating clubs, would help me. gling inside. he stays as out track, I would still be wandering around I was helping out with disabled people at my enthusiastic and and eating alone during lunch. church so friendship club, where we hang out i proved myself on the soccer field passionate about In September 2008, we had a club fair at the with kids with disabilities, was another oppor- For sports, I tried out for the soccer team school as when start of my sophomore year. I was so excited tunity to be involved with those kids. In Chris- and barely made junior varsity. I knew I wasn’t he first came to that I signed up for so many clubs—Christian tian club, we meet every Friday during lunch, good, so I tried hard. I was a bench player for the United States. clubs, art club, Model United Nations, Junior which strengthens my faith. most of the season and rarely played. In the State of America (JSA), Key Club, friendship I took a few honors classes, art and sports. second to last game, coach subbed me in and www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth 19 music

Rap that makes me think From religion to social justice, there’s more to hip-hop than party songs

By Stanton Ellison 17, West L.A. College

usic is one of the things I live for, from turning on old Wu-Tang Clan songs while I work out to blaring MSystem of a Down every morning before I start my school day. I enjoy all types of music: Johnny Cash’s country, R&B, even met- al, but my favorite is hip-hop. But lately, the rap being played on the ra- dio is all idiotic. If the rappers aren’t making songs insulting women, then they’re glorifying gang culture and drug dealing or talking about their cars, rented mansions and jewelry. Like the song I heard on the radio once, “Ask Them Hoes,” in which Lil Wayne says, “Scarface b***h cocaine by the pie/ Got them hoes sniffin’ like them hoes ‘bout to cry.” People hear this and think that selling drugs and objectifying wom- en is something to be idolized. This kind of music made me turn to an- other type of rap—underground rap. Under- ground rappers are so talented. When I hear them coming up with something original and using metaphors that create a verbal image, I get chills. When I was listening to radio rap in middle school on Power 106 and 93.5 KDAY, a lot of it was portraying the negative stereotypes that people have of black people. I just could nev- er get into it. I listened to it just for the beat or the way I could dance to it. Then my freshman year in 2006, on the way to a football game on the team bus, my friend Photo illustration by William Brent, 16, Central L.A. HS for the Visual and Performing Arts and Sally Choi, 15, The Linden Center Jared shared his iPod with me. He played a song called “Dance with the Devil” by Immortal And right then he knew what it was to be missing out. The song had powerful lyrics had a distinct style. Like Jedi Mind Tricks, a Technique. In the song, Immortal Technique empty and cold and made me think. It may be extreme but it rap group based in Philadelphia, whose mu- tells the story of a young man who wanted to And so he jumped off the roof and died is the path some could take if they choose to sic originated from personal experiences, the live a criminal life and was so desperate to be with no soul … be criminals. Some people I used to be close to highs and lows of their lives. They also like to like the Scarfaces and mob bosses that he tried The devil grows inside the hearts of the joined gangs and did horrible things, and oth- incorporate rock music and classical piano in- to get into a gang through an initiation. He was selfish and wicked ers may not have joined gangs but they fell into to their songs, which makes an odd but cool supposed to rape a woman to show that he White, brown, yellow and black color is not the mentality of “the more crooked you are the sound. Other artists like Demics and Diabolic was merciless. He raped a woman on the roof restricted more you are respected.” The power in the lyr- were more political. KRS-One, a famous rap- of a building only to find out that the woman You have a self-destructive destiny when ics didn’t just come from the words Immortal per from the late 80s and 90s, talked about how was his mother. He jumped off of the build- you’re inflicted.” Technique used to rhyme, but that he was talk- people in the “ghetto” needed to be educat- ing and at the end of the song Immortal Tech- ing about something that I knew about. ed and advance themselves so nobody could nique says: I got goose bumps all through the third Later on in the year when I created my keep them down. He is what made me want to verse. I couldn’t believe this was a rap song. It MySpace page I decided to look up Immortal learn more about classic hip-hop, like N.W.A. “Crying out to the sky because he was felt like I was listening to the narration of some Technique to add “Dance with the Devil” to and Public Enemy. lonely and scared twisted movie. That’s when I got into under- my page. His “friends” list had dozens of oth- When I listen to new underground rap I see But only the devil responded ‘cause God ground rap. I thought that if this is what un- er underground rappers, so I looked at their what seems like a rebirth of where N.W.A., Run- wasn’t there derground rap music is like, then I have been pages and was amazed by the way all of them DMC and Public Enemy left off, talking about

20 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com issues of the time and what is going on in life. When you gave him those chemicals Back then, rap was more than just something weapons to go to war with Iran you could play at a party and dance to, it was This is the information that they hold back Stanton recommends checking out these rebellious, anti-establishment, religious and from Peter Jennings CDs by some of his favorite rappers. political. It focused on the hardships of peo- ‘Cause Condoleezza Rice is just a new age ple in the urban ghettos and the inequality Sally Hemings.” they had to deal with. Run-DMC made songs Immortal Gang like “It’s Like That:” I love this song, not only because the lyrics are original, but because it expresses what’s Technique Starr “Money is the key to end all your woes going on in the world. It reinforced my views Your ups, your downs, your highs and your on religion and politics that I was afraid to say CD: The 3rd CD: Full Clip: A lows. because I didn’t think anyone else felt that World (2008) Decade of Gang Won’t you tell me the last time that love way. I believe that religion isn’t what God you Starr (1999) bought you clothes? pray to or whether you attend a cathedral or It’s fun because he’s It’s like that, and that’s the way it is.” a mosque. It’s knowing your purpose in life Peruvian and black They sound like old Wu- and being comfortable with your own mor- so he’s talking about Tang Clan or old Tupac. Rappers like Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind tality. I also feel the Bush Administration is what’s going on in I relate to most of these Tricks and Diabolic, who have something good responsible for lots of the financial and health- America and what’s songs. One of my favorites to add to rap, don’t get any recognition while care problems we have today. Knowing that going on in Peru—the is “Mass Appeal,” which rappers who have no skill, like Soulja Boy, are someone else who isn’t a politician but just reggaeton side of him. is about not following the always played. This is why I don’t even bother an educated entertainer openly expressed crowd and being original. to turn the radio on anymore. his ideals made me feel less weird for think- Jedi Mind Underground hip-hop began as a way to ing that way. Chino XL make people aware of what’s going on around When I began to listen to underground Tricks CD: Here to Save them— in their neighborhood, the government rappers I wondered why none of their music CD: Servants in or even religion. Like one of my favorite songs was played on the radio. In the song “Freedom You All (1996) by Canibus, “Channel Zero:” of Speech,” Immortal Technique mentions the Heaven, Kings shifty things the music industry was doing. in Hell (2006) He has a way with words. “The holy script from Genesis 1:26 I did research to see if what he and other He uses metaphors to Says let us make man in our image under artists were saying was true. A website called They don’t use what a insult other rappers our likeness hiphopdx.com talked about how commercial typical rapper uses as who aren’t as skillful First of all who’s they? rappers get corporate sponsors. On another beats. They use South or sociallyconscious. You see if God was truly a single entity website I read a list of liquor companies that American and Indi- that’s not what he would say.” sponsor artists. Companies work with record an beats to make in- Public labels and tell the artists, if you help sell our teresting sounds. I think he means that we follow religion so product then we will give you money for cars, Enemy blindly that we don’t even see the contradicto- clothes and jewelry. Run-DMC CD: It Takes ry things religious doctrines say. When I heard What some artists don’t realize is that once that I was shocked that he actually said that they do this, the companies have the power CD: Greatest a Nation of Millions out loud. I don’t hear a lot of rap lyrics about to dictate what they say in their music. So if Hits (2002) to Hold Us how the Bible might be wrong. I usually hear they wanted to make a song criticizing the Back (1988) that when I’m listening to rock, like Tool and government, the companies can say, if we I like the sound of old rap. It’s more raw but at A Perfect Circle. So when I heard this, I agreed consider this song too controversial you will They are in your face. the same time it’s more with his questioning of biblical verse because lose our sponsorship. That is why major labels They don’t use metaphors fun. It tells you what’s when I read religious texts like the Bible and won’t sign rap artists like Immortal Technique, or analogies to tell you going on but it’s also the Qur’an, I also ask questions. who is huge in the underground rap scene. what’s going on. They’re enjoyable to hear and Another song about religion is one Immor- His messages are too controversial. Corporate not afraid to say it. tal Technique made on his second CD, Revolu- sponsors won’t support him so he would not not always serious. tionary, Vol. 2, called “The 4th Branch,” where make as much money as artists who mention he said: a brand of alcohol. It isn’t as hard as it might seem to find this “The voice of racism preaching the gospel music. iTunes has two or three underground I think we shouldn’t marginalize rap and is devilish rap stations in its radio section. Pandora.com listen to only one style. Party rap is fun be- A fake church called the prophet lets you type in any artist and song and sim- cause you can dance to it and conscious rap Stanton says he Muhammad a terrorist ilar songs will play for free. This is how I dis- is great because you may hear a song that likes this kind of Forgetting God is not a religion, but a covered skillful lyricists like Apathy and Gang makes you think and learn something. I be- music because spiritual bond Starr, who were big in the 90s when Tupac was lieve rap is so versatile. Instead of playing just the artists aren’t And Jesus is the most quoted prophet in the still alive and making music and it was good one type of rap, radio DJs and record labels afraid to tell you Qur’an to be an educated rapper. Some other artists should pay attention to all aspects of hip-hop, the truth. They bombed innocent people tryin’ to who are making great music today are Chino because this culture has more than one voice murder Saddam XL and Crooked I. to be heard. www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth 21 foster care

I used to break windows and cause trouble, but now I’m trying to think before I act

By Sara Dominguez up. Sometimes I’d walk up and down the hall- their job over me. I liked her. I was surprised. was out of control and doing things that were 18, South Bay HS (Torrance) ways, disturbing the classes. One time I ran I was too busy doing what I wanted to do to dangerous, like running around with a pair away from school and found a shopping cart see that my actions were making it hard on of scissors. The third time I went to the hos- rowing up I did crazy things, like on the sidewalk. It was calling my name. I the staff. After that, I tried to act better but I pital, after I’d been at my group home for a break windows. I thought what I did brought it all the way up the street back to couldn’t. It was just so much fun. year and a half, they didn’t let me come back. was funny. I didn’t think my behavior school. I was going to run down the hallway I was so out of control that I went to the When the people from my new group home Gwould affect my future, but it did. with it. I thought, “I’m going to go disrupt the mental hospital. One day I was upset and I came to pick me up I was pissed. I thought I had hard times growing up. When I was a class. I’m going to have fun. Whoo!” But when wanted to run away so I walked to the liquor my old staff had rejected me. I was going to baby my siblings and I were taken away from I got to school, the school staff locked the door our parents because they couldn’t take care of before I got in so I pushed it up and down the us. We went to live with guardians. I saw my street instead. I thought it was the funniest guardians as real parents and I had fun living thing to do instead of being in school. After I was at my strict group with them but I was acting out too much. I was I didn’t care about getting in trouble. I did impatient and couldn’t sit still. I’d get Saturday something bad every day but there were no home for two years I began to see school because I wasn’t listening to the teach- consequences. I still got to do stuff, like go to er. I was doing stuff I wasn’t supposed to do, Dodgers games, the pool and the park. people leave who weren’t here as like going on inappropriate websites. I thought Then one day I was tapping a loose window I was doing things any other kid would do but and accidentally broke it and my hand start- long as me. It upset me. I wanted I was taken away from them when I was 11 be- ed to bleed. I got a kick out of it. After that I cause they couldn’t handle me. realized I liked to break windows. to leave too. I started to regret My behavior got worse when I left my The first time I broke a window on pur- guardians’ house. I missed them so I didn’t pose, using a rock, the staff ran after me. I ran all the trouble I had caused. I care about trying to behave anymore. I went around the group home. It was funny. It was to three foster homes in one year. It was hard like a police chase. Then one of them grabbed didn’t want to be bad anymore. to move around, having to get adjusted to so me. Three or four staff threw me on the ground many people. When I was 12 I was sent to my and held me down until I was calm. As pun- first group home, which is a home where you ishment I had an earlier bedtime. live with other kids and adult staff members store. I walked back to the group home drink- miss some of them. when you can’t handle a foster home. I’d get Getting in trouble was a joke to me ing a Hawaiian Punch. I whipped out a razor in trouble for running away. I got kicked out There were big rocks out in the yard. Every I had stuck in my pocket and I tried to break it I needed more rules a year later. I didn’t want to leave. The staff day I would pick out a window, find a rock and open to get the blade out. To scare the staff, I to help me behave members were my friends. One let me hold throw it at the window. I liked to see them fix was going to act like I was going to cut myself, I came to my new group home, called Star her keys and hung out with me. I had called the windows over and over. I thought, “That’s just small scratches, not deep. When I got back View, in October 2006 when I was 15 years old. her mom. so funny. They have to replace it. I don’t have to the group home they saw the razor and a It’s a stricter group home with locked doors At my new group home, I called and talk- any money to replace it.” The girls knew when bunch of the staff tried to take me down on and a lot of rules where teens get sent to get ed to some of the staff at my old group home. they heard a window shatter, that was me. the grass. I was forcing them off of me, then help with their problems, like anger or behav- They told me they were going to come visit The staff would chase me and I liked getting more staff had to hold me down and control ior. I finally changed when I got here. Before me but they never came. I wished I had peo- attention from them. I’d get in trouble but it me. They had to call an ambulance. “I’m not I hadn’t been ready. ple visiting me. The other girls would have wasn’t bad. going,” I screamed. I was scared. They put me But I wasn’t ready to change right away. their families pick them up on the weekends. One day one of the staff members sat down on the stretcher and strapped my arms. Star View has windows all down the hall- I didn’t have any family in my life at the time. and talked to me. She said she wanted to quit I was there for a week. My group home staff way. I walked down the hallway, hitting the I was sad about it. because she was tired of restraining me. I felt picked me up and took me back. They sent me windows, boom, boom, boom. I was testing I didn’t like school so I was always acting bad because I didn’t want anybody to lose to a mental hospital two more times because I them. It wasn’t glass. I had to examine them

22 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com because they looked thick. They were plexi- If I was good they would let me visit my glass. I couldn’t break them. mom on the weekends. We watched movies But I found other ways to get into trouble. and ate junk food. Those visits helped me I threw chairs and I got slammed on the floor stay out of trouble because I had someone by the staff. When I got mad at the other kids in my life to see. I would feel bad if my fam- or punched a hole in the wall, I’d get sent to ily wanted to see me and I let them down be- the timeout room, a blue room with carpet cause I got in trouble. on the walls. They put you in the room, close The staff helped me behave better. When I the door and leave you until you calm down. would get mad at somebody and want to fight I was sometimes in there for four hours. It them, Dee would tell me to calm down and made me more frustrated. I would bang on “breathe in and out.” It helped. the windows and kick the door. They would The staff talked to me. They asked ques- come back and take off my shoes. Different tions like, “What’s wrong?” and “How was times I ripped off the bottom of my T-shirt. your visit with your family?” They were ask- I wrapped it around my neck and tied it in ing about things that I liked. It made me hap- knots over and over. I was mad and wasn’t py. I didn’t have my family by my side but I felt thinking about what I was doing. I didn’t want like I had family—the staff—in my life. to hurt myself. The big male staff would come I’d tell the staff if someone was bothering in the room and rip the T-shirt off my neck. I me. They’d tell me to ignore them. I’d listen would have a red mark on my neck. I felt upset to them and I wouldn’t get in trouble. One at myself because I did a stupid thing. time when I picked up sharp pieces of plastic At Star View, it wasn’t fun to mess around. outside in the gated area, Vernice, a counsel- My old group home didn’t have a timeout or, told me, “Hand it over and don’t come in- room. They had to hold me until I calmed side with it because people could get hurt.” I down. And I got to go on the day trips even listened to her and I handed the pieces over. if I got in trouble. But at Star View if I acted I was happy I didn’t make it a bigger situa- up I didn’t get to go anywhere. It was tough tion and get my privileges taken away, like getting in trouble. going on outings. A year and a half after being at Star View, I got back in contact with my family. I saw I got support and encouragement my sister and my guardian, who I call my I want to shout out to all the staff—Dee, mom because I lived with her for many years. Vernice, Michael T., Mark, Jazz, Joel B. my She said, “I love you.” I felt happy because I therapist, Leah my old therapist, Stephanie, thought I was never going to talk to her again. Vicky, Princess, Debbie M. and my teach- But they said I couldn’t live with her because er Mr. Grady. They’ve all supported me. I needed to be good. My mom would always After I got in trouble once, I did good for a visit me. She told me to do good and not get whole week. Vicky brought me Denny’s. If it in trouble. She said she wanted me to get out weren’t for them I would have given up and of my group home. not cared. After I was here for two years I began to see I don’t get in trouble or go to the timeout people leave who weren’t here as long as me. room that much anymore. I feel good that It upset me. I wanted to leave too. I started I’ve improved. I’m trying to grow up. to regret all the trouble I had caused. I didn’t Now that I’m 18, I want to live in transi- want to be bad anymore. I wanted to improve tional housing, which is an apartment where so I could get out of my group home. I want- you live on your own and the system pays for ed to live with my family. I would think about it. I want to live near my guardians so they’ll my family and how I wanted a nicer future. I be able to see me more. I’m an auntie. I need didn’t want to end up in a mental health facil- to improve for my sister and her baby, for my ity for adults when I turned 18. I was scared family, so I won’t end up in an adult facility of that. I started to shape up. and mess up my life. I regret everything I did. Don’t act bad because then you’ll regret it. Don’t always react. Think before the consequences are Sara says life has coming your way. Don’t mess up your fu- taught her many ture. I wish I didn’t do the things I did so lessons and now that I would have never been at Star View or she’s working my other group homes and I could still be toward building with my guardians. I think about that every a better future for day. Why am I here? Then again I’ve met all herself. these people that came in my life and I’m happy for that too. www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth 23 Calling all foster youth in Los Angeles County Do you want to let other teens know what foster care is like? Here’s your chance.

L.A. Youth is looking for foster youth ages 14 to 18 who want to write an article to be published in L.A. Youth. By joining L.A. Youth, you can:

❒ earn $100 for each story published ❒ Improve your writing skills by working with an editor ❒ help other foster youth by sharing your experiences ❒ inform others about “the system” Getting away from drugs,

gangs and Foster Youth Editor Amanda Riddle (left) works with Sally on her story. other bad influences helped Contactme Editor Amanda Riddle at straighten out my (323)life 938-9194 H or [email protected] Invite Amanda to speak at your school, group home or foster agency about writing for L.A. Youth.

Got questions? H Go to layouth.com and click on the Foster Youth link to learn more and read stories written by foster youth.

24 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com health

What you need to know about the flu I talked to experts about swine flu and how to avoid getting sick

found in pigs. this strain of H1N1 is that most of the cases Most people don’t have immu- are mild to moderate. nity to it because it’s a new strain of Gabe holds a flier from the the flu. It’s affecting mostly young Will more people get sick than from the county health department adults and children, whereas sea- regular flu? Every year in the U.S. there are that reminds us to wash sonal flu [regular flu] most often af- 36,000 deaths from seasonal flu and 200,000 our hands as one of the fects those 65 and older. hospitalizations. Thus far there have been best ways to prevent more than 500 deaths due to H1N1 so we’ll getting sick this flu season. Why does it affect young adults see how it plays out for this current season. and children more than the regular flu? We don’t know exactly why. Do you recommend getting an H1N1 There is some thought that people vaccine? It’s recommended for certain who were born before 1957 may priority groups, including children and have seen a similar type of the flu young adults from six months to 24 years in the past and they may have some of age. It’s recommended but it’s not immunity. mandatory. The vaccine is expected to come out in What are the symptoms of H1N1? mid-October. We’re recommending that The symptoms are similar to other you check with your doctor to see if he has flu symptoms. You may have a fever, the vaccine. And then if he doesn’t have the cough, sore throat, runny nose, vaccine or you don’t have a doctor, there are body aches, headache; you could going to be more than 250 places with it in be tired. Los Angeles County starting in mid-October and running through mid-December. You How can people get it? The can go there and get the vaccine for free. same way you can get seasonal Those will be listed on the L.A. County flu or other respiratory infections. website, http://publichealth.lacounty.gov. Mainly we’re talking about coughs and sneezes, drops that spread. If Does the seasonal flu shot prevent H1N1? someone sneezes or coughs on an No, it’s entirely different. The seasonal flu object it contaminates that surface, vaccine is for protection against seasonal and if another person touches that flu and the pandemic H1N1 shot is for By Gabe Andreen to school there was a kid who got the swine flu same object or surface and rubs his or her protection against pandemic H1N1. 17, Pilgrim School and he was fine. It was confusing. Since it’s flu eyes, nose or mouth, those are pathways for season, I wanted to learn more. What I found the germ to get in. Do you have any last thoughts? Just to was confused about how swine flu, which out was reassuring. Although as teens we’re more remind you that most people that have had is also called H1N1, was different from the likely to get sick than older people, if you stay What can I do to prevent getting sick? the swine flu in the U.S. got better on their regular flu that comes every year. Back in the home and rest you can get better. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or own. They didn’t need to get medicine, they Ispring they were making a huge deal of it. Re- Here is information based on an interview the insides of your sleeves when you cough or just needed to stay home. Don’t panic if ports in the newspapers and on TV were telling I did with Susan Hathaway, a nurse, and Ben sneeze. Wash your hands often in soap and you think you have the flu. Also, wash your you it’s scary and you hear about people dying. Techagaiciyawanis, a health educator, from water. If you don’t have access to restrooms, hands, cover your cough and stay home if When my dad went to China for business, they the Los Angeles County Department of Pub- you can also use alcohol-based hand you’re sick. took people’s temperatures when they got off the lic Health. If I get the flu I won’t be as worried sanitizers. Do not touch your eyes, nose and plane and if it was 1 or 2 degrees above normal as before. Be cautious, wash your hands, but mouth because germs can get into your body they quarantined them. But when I came back don’t freak out. that way. If you’re sick, common sense is to stay home. Avoid close contact if you’re sick or with others if they’re sick. You should stay Since doing this What is swine flu? How is it different from combination of swine, avian and human home for 24 hours after the fever ends. interview, Gabe the regular flu? Swine flu, or H1N1 pandemic influenza. The name has stuck to call it is washing his flu, is a respiratory infection caused by a swine flu because it’s easy to say in news You call it pandemic H1N1 flu. What does hands more. new flu virus and it’s responsible for large reports. We think that name is confusing “pandemic” mean? It doesn’t mean that a outbreaks in many parts of the world. Its because this particular strain of the flu virus disease causes severe illness. It means that genetic components are composed of a spreads only among people, not pigs. It’s not it’s widely spread. What we’re finding with www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth 25 reviews B

Looking for Alaska battle, but mischief always wins the war.” That is like ooks By John Green the teen motto. I know that I do whatever I can to get out of certain situations, even if it means being a little Reviewed by Stacey Avnes mischievous. 15, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Before reading this book, I read mostly classics. Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters had become my ooking for Alaska is more than just a teen angst favorite authors. The lifestyles depicted in those sto- Lnovel, it’s a gripping story of life, death, love, tak- ries are a lot more restrictive and conservative than in ing risks and friendship. This book is the most perfect Looking for Alaska. This book brings teenage antics composition of high school events ever written. to a whole new level, like when they light firecrackers Loner Miles Halter (Pudge) decides to leave Flor- up a hill to get the attention of the dean of the school ida to go to boarding school in Alabama because he while freaking him out at the same time. It is still doesn’t have friends. He wants to make friends at his tasteful while being hilarious. new school, but he expects that things will be the same There were times in the book when I felt I was with as they were before—he will be unnoticed. Instead, he the characters, feeling what they were feeling and ex- meets unruly Chip, Japanese rapper Takumi, shy but periencing what they were experiencing. A lot of the lively Romanian Lara, and sexy, outgoing Alaska, and things that happen in high school are in this book, his life changes forever. even the events that people want to forget. A lot of us Pudge has a crush on Alaska and is having the time know the feeling of liking someone you cannot have, of his life, until Alaska mysteriously dies. The friends like when Pudge first realizes that he likes Alaska and are angry, sad, vengeful and confused. They don’t she claims that she is in love with her current boy- know what to do, and they work together to find out friend. To me, those parts of the story make it more what happened, which brings them closer. Each time relatable to real-life high school. they find clues to her death, they find out things about This book has taught me not to take things for Alaska they never expected. granted—especially friends. To see in this book how I didn’t want to put the book down because the something can be taken away so quickly, I now know writing felt as if a real teen was telling the story. Like to start taking things like arguments with friends less when Alaska says, “It’s the eternal struggle, Pudge: seriously because for all I know, they could be gone the good versus the naughty. Sometimes you lose a tomorrow.

Carrie By Stephen King Reviewed by Esteban Garcia 16, Warren HS (Downey)

’d heard great things about Stephen King. I’d seen capture suspense the way a film can but this novel IThe Shining, the film adaptation of King’s novel, and proved me wrong. King’s descriptive style brings alive loved it, so when I saw some of his novels on the list the pain of the main character. Parenthetical phrases of books we could read for English, I chose Carrie. It give the readers constant insight into the thoughts and proved to be an incredibly thrilling read. emotions of the characters. When the words, “(dead Carrie is the story of a teenage girl suffering from are they all dead carrie why think carrie)” splash the crushing humiliations of being an outcast in a across the page, it felt like those thoughts were my small-town high school and her mother’s biting Chris- own. These made reading the novel all the more enjoy- tian fundamentalism. Early on, her peers in the locker able and only once seemed pointless. room torment Carrie after she gets her first period and While something like buying a root beer for a dime is bleeding in the showers. Later, we see her mom’s may be dated (Carrie was published in 1974), the over- severity when she forces Carrie to pray for hours to all theme and feel of the book still connected with me. repent for her sins (like visiting a bikini-clad neighbor Carrie is a view into the life of the other side of high and accepting a boy’s invitation to the prom). school. For misfits, the story could possibly be a re- As the plot unfolds King slowly introduces Carrie’s freshing and honest view of their own situations. The telekinetic powers—the ability to move inanimate scenes of Carrie’s amazing revenge convey a sense of objects with only the power of her mind. After she is personal victory—the intensity of the emotions forces humiliated at prom, Carrie goes on a rampage, de- the reader to feel it all, and I did. stroying much of her town and its inhabitants with her Before reading Carrie, I wasn’t sure what to expect telekinesis. I appreciated, though, that Carrie’s powers of a horror book, but I couldn’t stop reading it. I slipped weren’t the focus of the story; Carrie is primarily about a few pages in during morning announcements, be- high school life. fore bed, during lunch, and between classes and I fin- Before reading Carrie, I didn’t think a book could ished it within one week.

26 l.a.youth October 2009 www.layouth.com reviews Music

The Aquabats The Upwelling HIM CD: The Return of The Aquabats CD: An American Stranger CD: Razorblade Romance Reviewed by Sam Landsberg Reviewed by Chantelle Moghadam Reviewed by Patricia Chavarria 16, Hamilton HS 15, Viewpoint School (Calabasas) 18, Cesar Chavez Continuation HS (Compton)

he title says it all. The Aquabats’ debut album, eady to get away from the repetitive alternative f you’re looking for a CD with amazing songs about T ironically called their “return,” is filled with the R rock sound played out by so many bands? Then I love and death I recommend HIM’s Razorblade silly antics that define The Aquabats. The eight-piece definitely check out An American Stranger, The Up- Romance. band, complete with a full brass section, perform ska welling’s debut album. One of my favorite songs is “Join Me in Death,” (music with upbeat guitar riffs and horns) and sing From the catchy, upbeat single, “American Girls,” to which is based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. about things most bands might look down on as song their slower songs such as “Paris” and “New Streets,” Lead singer Ville Valo sings about finding someone subjects. each song is completely different. There are songs he truly loves. But instead of being together in life, The opening song, “Playdough,’’ which starts off about rejection (“American Girls”), songs about satisfy- he wants to be with her forever in death, where they with pounding notes and then a brass solo reminis- ing a need to get away (“Wanderlust”), and songs about can’t be torn apart. My favorite lyrics are: “This world cent of mariachi, is all about the carelessness of child- leaving the love of your life (“Who Needs You Now”). is a cruel place/ and we’re here only to lose/ so before hood. That doesn’t sound like a silly subject, until you The lyrics of New York City brothers Ari and Joshua life tears us apart let/ death bless me with you/ Won’t add in action figures from Star Wars and Scooby Doo. Ingber are enchanting and thought-provoking. The you die tonight for love/ Baby join me in death.” Some The song is all about losing your action figures and combination of those lyrics with the drums and me- people might find those lyrics scary or disturbing, but how upsetting it is. The album includes three songs, lodious guitar is what makes this album as amazing I find it romantic that someone will sing about a thing “Playdough,’’ “Martian Girl’’ and “Idiot Box,’’ that were as it is. If a song can make my heart swell with feel- like dying for love. re-released on their second album, The Fury of the ings, I know it’s a good song. “Paris” is one of my favor- Another great song that will keep you singing every Aquabats! Although the versions on The Fury are un- ites because of its lyrics. “Should I have told you what day is “Right Here in My Arms.” I can’t help listening to doubtedly better mixed, I prefer the versions on The you’ve always known?/ I love you to the marrow of it on repeat on my car stereo and iPod. The lyrics are Return, which seem more genuine and raw. your bones.” When I first heard this line, I immediately amazing and hypnotizing: “And her heart is weeping The Aquabats make a point of not taking life or mu- loved the song because it brought back memories of a because happiness is killing her/ She’ll be right here in sic seriously. The song “Martian Girl” is about falling in past relationship. my arms so in love/ Right here in these arms she can’t love with a girl from Planet V, who came to earth to eat Although it is difficult to compare The Upwelling to let go.” The guitar intro on this song is so great that it people. But they are still talented musicians and song- other bands considering their distinctive sound, they has me playing air guitar. writers. In the tradition of Monty Python and Devo, The are somewhere between Daughtry’s upbeat sound, All of the songs on this album are great! Some of my Aquabats make it acceptable to act immature, because The Killers’ old-school style and Coldplay’s appealing other favorites are “Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart,” they do so with great talent. lyrics, creating a sound that is different from all three. “Poison Girl” and “Death Is in Love With Us.” This CD is The Aquabats have changed a lot over the years, but The Upwelling is surely one of the best alternative rock to die for. Long live His Infernal Majesty. their first album, from 1996, is still one of their best. It is bands that the world has never heard of. a perfect example of ska, which is all about having fun.

The Aquabats make a point of not taking life or music If a song can make my I can’t help listening to “Right seriously, but they are heart swell with feelings, Here in My Arms” on repeat still talented musicians. I know it’s a good song. on my car stereo and iPod.

www.layouth.com October 2009 l.a.youth 27 Be a part of L.A. Youth! join our staff at the next Newcomer’s Day No experience necessary! Writers, artists and photographers welcome.

Next orientation: ay, JLIGI@J<=@E@J? Saturd Dec. 12 11 a.m. - noon

Youth has given me You will be invited to an opportunity to stay for the regular L.A. showcase my art to hundreds of thousands of people. I have staff meeting which had four comics, four illustrations and five starts at 1 p.m. CD reviews published in the newspaper. Without L.A. Youth, my art would have

Francisco remained in my sketchbook. Even better, Sandoval, 16, of the kids at my school would see my Nogales HS For more information created this comic about artwork in the paper and compliment me. joining the cross coun- L.A. Youth has also given me the Call (323) 938-9194 try team. opportunity to discuss current events  0 C%8%PFLK? e-mail [email protected] September 2008 with other teens, like the war in Iraq and 5967 W. Third St., Suite 301, the 2008 presidential election. At school we’re busy studying history and other Los Angeles CA 90036 subjects, and we never have the chance to discuss issues like these. I also like that at the weekly staff meetings I’ve met teens from other parts of L.A. County who are different from the kids I go to school with. L.A. Youth has taught me to become a better writer, too. I am more confident expressing my ideas on paper than I was before I joined. www.layouth.com —Francisco Sandoval, 17, Nogales HS (La Puente)